New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Delhi High Court, drawing attention to the troubling rise in spam calls linked to the upcoming Delhi state legislative assembly elections. The petition claims these calls, made by various organizations and political parties, violate citizens’ Right to Privacy as guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The bench, consisting of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, is set to hear the case today. The PIL argues that these spam calls, aimed at spreading hatred and bias, not only damage the reputations of political parties but also hinder the public’s ability to make impartial electoral choices.
The petition further alleges that these calls promote a particular political party’s agenda, enticing voters with promises of freebies and warning that benefits will be revoked if the opposition wins. This tactic is said to foster animosity and prejudice, potentially skewing public perception and compromising the democratic process by unfairly influencing voter decisions.
Moreover, the PIL asserts that citizens’ privacy rights are being breached, as their personal information is being misused to advance the interests of certain political entities. It claims these parties are violating the law and prioritizing their political ambitions over the Constitution and citizens’ fundamental rights.
The petition seeks the establishment of guidelines to address the shortcomings in regulating harmful political advertising during elections. It requests that the court direct appropriate actions against violators, including the potential de-recognition of candidates or penalties for spreading malicious content, especially given the imminent elections.
Additionally, the plea calls for the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to clarify how these spammers are operating and infringing on privacy rights, and it urges action against those responsible for failing to effectively monitor and control spam calls. Lastly, it requests that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) be ordered to cease the distribution of harmful material that negatively impacts voters and undermines the democratic process.