Supreme Court refuses PIL on EC's power to transfer officials

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL questioning the power of Election Commission to transfer bureaucrats and government officials before and during the polls. The PIL also sought a direction that the Election Commission should be asked to withdraw its order by which several bureaucrats were transferred before the announcement of poll dates for Bihar Assembly election.

"You go and ask the Election Commission whether it has the power to transfer officials before and during the polls and it will tell you the provisions. You go and find out whether EC has power or not," a bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Amitava Roy said.

The bench also refused to keep the plea pending till the petitioner Ravi Bhushan received a response from the Election Commission. His counsel later withdrew the petition.