Goa, Nov. 4 -- The Supreme Court of India has agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the blanket legal immunity conferred upon the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs). A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana issued a formal notice to the Union government, seeking its response on the constitutional validity of Section 16 under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

The legal challenge brings back into focus a controversial aspect of the central legislation enacted by Parliament. Section 16 of the 2023 Act bars all civil and criminal courts ...