AP High Court questions EC's decision to halt DBT, adjourns hearing to June

AMARAVATI: The Andhra Pradesh High Court strongly criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for stopping the disbursement of financial assistance through the Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) scheme, questioning its basis for doing so.

The court, led by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R. Raghunandan Rao, expressed skepticism about the ECI's commitment to maintaining a level playing field and scheduled further hearings for June.

The first bench, addressing the ECI's halt on DBT disbursements, noted that the commission must comply with judicial orders and is subject to high court review. "We were not sure whether the Election Commission believed in a level playing field. The Commission is not beyond High Court orders and is subject to judicial review. It is clear that the Election Commission did not adopt the conduct followed in 2019, such as allowing the Pasupu Kumkuma scheme since it was ongoing when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect," remarked Chief Justice Thakur.

The court questioned the ECI on what grounds it halted the DBT scheme despite a High Court order to release the funds while allowing other schemes, such as Telangana's Rythu Bandhu. "Under what power did you ask the government for particulars after the High Court order to release the DBT? You did not file a writ appeal and instead sat on the judgment of the High Court order. How did you allow Telangana's Rythu Bandhu scheme and not these schemes?" asked the court.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur also questioned senior counsel Nadkarni's conduct for allegedly threatening the Registry with a House Motion Petition. Counsel Nadkarni promptly apologised to the court for his remarks.

Due to a lack of time, the court adjourned the matter to June, providing the Election Commission additional time to respond to the court's questions and allowing for further examination.