SC dismisses PIL challenging RS nominations of Shobhana Bhartia

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a PIL challenging the nomination of Hindustan Times Media Ltd Vice Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia and Pioneer Editor Chandan Mitra to the Rajya Sabha.

A bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal and Justice A K Mathur dismissed the petition filed by Centre for Public Interest Litigation holding that the scope of ''social service'' was wide enough to cover the two respondents who were eminent journalists and writers.

The petitioner had sought a declaration from the Court that nomination of Ms Shobhana Bhartia and Ms Chandan Mitra to Rajya Sabha was unconstitutional. The petitioner's counsel, Prashant Bhushan had contented that both were affiliated to a particular political party and people having political affiliation can contest the election but cannot be nominated to the Upper House.

Ms Bhartia was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India on February 16, 2006 while Mr Mitra was also nominated for being a social activist.

The petitioner however, contented that their nominations were violative of Article 80 (3) and 14 of the Constitution of India.

The petitioner had contended that Ms Bhartia was not even a journalist and she was only a media baron.

The Court however rejected all the contentions of the petitioner and refused to entertain the petition.

UNI AKS/SC PG JN BST1350