PANKAJ PUROHIT Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This matter was entertained as Public Interest Litigation under orders of Hon'ble the Chief Justice vide his Lordship's order dated 24.04.2012, passed on the office note dated 16.04.2012, prepared by the Registry on receipt of a letter dated 25.02.2012, from one Pankaj Purohit.

(2.) In said letter dated 25.02.2012, the petitioner Pankaj Purohit has expressed his anguish on the lack of basic amenities to the people living in the hilly part of the State of Uttarakhand vis-a-vis those living in the plain area of the State. The said petitioner appears to have been particularly aggrieved by the fact that the Election Commission by reducing the constituencies in the hills has further caused difficulties for those who are living in the hilly part of the State.

(3.) On 13.04.2012, this Court directed the State Government to file an affidavit as to whether the number of constituencies in the hills have been reduced or not. In response to said direction counter affidavit has been filed by respondent no.4 (State of Uttarakhand) wherein the secretary Government of Uttarakhand/Chief Election Officer of State Election Commission has admitted the reduction of number of constituencies in the hills and increase in those in the plain areas. It is clarified in said counter affidavit that the delimitation of the constituencies was done, keeping in mind the spirit contained in article 81, 82, 170 (2) and article 329 (a) of Constitution of India.