The Supreme Court of India issued notice on a PIL seeking a ban on election freebies, terming them “bribery.” The plea involves the Election Commission of India and Comptroller and Auditor General of India over electoral fairness concerns
The Supreme Court criticised the freebies culture ahead of elections, warning that indiscriminate subsidies burden taxpayers and hurt development. While backing welfare for the poor, the court said states must revisit populist policies and maintain fiscal discipline
A Congress candidate in Aswaraopet allegedly asked voters to return money and pressure cookers distributed before polling, suspecting they had not supported him. Angered residents protested by dumping the boxes on the street, while his supporters blamed political rivals
"This is important. We will keep this on board tomorrow," said a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra after petitioner's lawyer in the case mentioned the matter for early hearing
