Overview
- A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant called the issue “very important” and agreed to prioritise an early listing of the petitions.
- The Court orally distinguished large-scale distributions to individuals from investment in welfare schemes, stressing that the difference must guide any review.
- Petitions seek reconsideration of the 2013 S. Subramaniam Balaji ruling and ask whether such giveaways qualify as a corrupt practice under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act.
- The judges questioned the absence of a dedicated diversion of revenue surplus toward development, citing obligations like free medical care and education under the Directive Principles.
- Fiscal concerns were highlighted, with the petitioner alleging a sharp rise in national debt and the RBI reporting higher subsidy outlays, while proposals include Election Commission sanctions or an expert committee.