Mumbai, Oct. 5 -- The Supreme Court on Monday declined to immediately restrain Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from functioning, while issuing notice on a petition challenging decisions taken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and questioning provisions of the law governing the poll panel.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymala Bagchi and V. Mohana said it would examine the records and seek the ECI's response before considering any interim directions.

Senior counsel Vikas Singh, appearing for petitioner Rakesh Singh, sought an immediate order restraining Kumar from functioning as CEC, arguing that his continuation in office could affect the credibility of the electoral process. "Some interim or...