The petition said the ECI has made such “illegality and arbitrary” transfers in other poll-bound States in contravention of Article 324 of the Constitution, and provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Thursday (April 16, 2026) refused to entertain a petition challenging the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to transfer “wholesale” 63 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers and 16 senior bureaucrats, including the Director General of Police and the Chief Secretary, in the “garb of poll-preparedness”.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the petition raised “substantial questions of law”, but declined to intervene on the ground that the elections were scheduled just days ahead.

Published – April 16, 2026 05:40 pm IST