Goa, Oct. 15 -- In a major legal development, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday issued notices to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its three election commissioners. The directive comes in response to a petition filed by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, alongside 12 other senior INDIA bloc leaders, demanding an independent inquiry into alleged procedural irregularities and the internal functioning of the poll body.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued the notice while seeking explanations from respondent parties. The court also issued a provisional notice regarding co-petitioner Mahua Maji of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), noting that she must c...