SC quashes Azmi's petition

New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a petition by the Samajwadi Party MP from Maharashtra Abu Asim Azmi challenging the Maharashtra government notification not permitting a candidate having more than two children to contest elections for Municipal corporations and other civic bodies in the state.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Baklakrishnan, Justices P Sathasivam and J M Panchal refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court judgement dated July 19, 2007 dismissing the petition of Mr Azmi.

According to the petitioner such restrictions are anti-Muslim as Muslims follow Islamic tenets in their personal and public life according to what is prescribed by the Holy Quran, Hadith and Sunna and the state government notification dated July 12, 2001 violates the Fundamental Rights of Indian Muslims guaranted under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution granting Freedom of Religion.

Mr Bahar Barqi, counsel for the petitioner also submitted that his only objection was that the government notification interfered with the right of the petitioner and other members of his community to profess his religion.

The apex court dismissed the petition.

UNI/SC SV ATI RN1335