Supreme Court asks petitioner to move EC on UP ticket sale sting

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea for a CBI probe into an alleged UP ticket sale sting. It asked the petitioner to pursue the matter before the Election Commission, signalling deference to the poll body's role.Image used for representational purposes onlyNewdelhi,Oct 13, 2026 12:42 ISTThe Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a CBI probe into a sting operation alleging the sale of election tickets by some unrecognised political parties in Uttar Pradesh. The court instead allowed the petitioner, Swaraj Vahini Association, to revive its representation and reminder pending with the Election Commission on the issue.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said the petitioner should approach the poll panel. In its order, the bench said, "We have no reason to doubt that the poll panel will make endeavours to redress the grievances."The plea referred to certain sting operations that were undertaken and shared on social media in connection with the working of some political parties and the alleged sale of election tickets. The bench also noted that the Allahabad High Court had earlier refused to entertain the petitioner association's PIL on the issue.Besides the Election Commission and the Centre, the plea had made the Chief Election Commissioner and Uttar Pradesh-based Nishad Party, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, Apna Dal Sone Lal and Jan Janvadi Party Socialist parties to the case. On September 7, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the PIL seeking an investigation by the CBI or another agency into a sting operation circulated on social media concerning the functioning of political parties. A division bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra declined to entertain the petition, observing that the court could not be expected to direct investigations into every sting operation or social media report presented in the name of public interest. With Tuesday's order, the Supreme Court has left it open to the petitioner to pursue the matter before the Election Commission.- Ends