PARAMA NANDA MAHATO Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is a doctor practising Homoeopathy. He is registered with the Council of Homoeopathic Medicine/West Bengal.

(2.) For the purpose of election of members from West Bengal (four in all) to the Central Council of Homoeopathy, the petitioner is an elector. Voting paper was sent to him by the returning officer. It is the petitioner's grievance that the voting paper bears a serial number which is exactly the same serial number printed on the certificate issued in his favour by the Council of Homoeopathic Medicine and, in view thereof, once he casts his vote his identity would be disclosed, which is not permissible in terms of the rules governing the field of election of members to the Central Council of Homoeopathy.

(3.) Mr. Roy Chowdhury, learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner has invited the attention of this Court to the various provisions of Homoeopathy Central Council (Election) Rules and has contended that the action of the returning officer cannot be sustained in law.