SC: Poll panel cash seizure order only for parties’ agents

Agreeing to examine legal questions over its power of search and seizure during elections, the Supreme Court Friday asked the Election Commission to amend its directive to randomly search and seize 'in-transit' cash in poll-bound Gujarat and said it will be applicable only to agents and workers of parties carrying unexplained cash above Rs 50,000.

Passing its interim order on a plea filed by the EC against the Gujarat High Court order, a Bench of Justices D K Jain and Madan B Lokur recorded EC's submission that it would agree to amend its rule to state that no coercive action shall be taken against anyone carrying cash up to Rs 50,000 and a gift item up to a value of Rs 10,000.

"The directive shall be applicable to agents and workers of political parties. Our concern is that the ordinary citizen should not be harassed," the court said.

The court said this interim arrangement will continue till the Assembly election and later it will hear the matter in detail.

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