In an open letter, the former judges urged political parties to take election disputes to the commission and courts, warning that unsupported allegations could erode confidence in institutions.
Forty-two former Supreme Court and High Court judges in India have issued an open letter expressing concern about what they called a “calculated campaign” undermining confidence in constitutional institutions. The letter does not name a political party, but refers to a party that governed India for more than five decades and now claims the electoral system that elected it is rigged.
The signatories, including former Supreme Court judges Hemant Gupta and Pankaj Mithal and former High Court chief justices B.C. Patel, Subhro Kamal Mukherjee and Permod Kohli, said allegations of “vote theft” should be taken to courts rather than made only at press conferences. They also said electronic voting machines are blamed after losses while victories won using the same machines go unquestioned.
The letter defended the Election Commission of India’s role in revising voter rolls, saying the exercise should help ensure accurate lists and free and fair elections. The former judges urged political parties to use procedures available through the commission and courts, the media to verify claims, and citizens to assess information carefully.
The authors also said election officials face public accusations and threats and argued that courts have not established the allegations made against those authorities. The letter came amid protests and public disputes concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Its assertions represent the signatories’ position and are not a judicial finding on the political allegations.