'Why not the same bench?' SC on EVM verification plea

Directs the plea to the bench that previously rejected paper ballots

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday said the plea seeking a policy for verification of electronic voting machines (EVMs) should go before the same bench that delivered a verdict in April rejecting the demand for bringing back the old paper ballots.

When the plea on EVMs came up for hearing, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale told petitioner's counsel senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, "Why don't this matter go before the same bench?" Sankaranarayanan informed the court about its April judgment on a batch of pleas over EVMs.

"That is what I am saying. It (plea) should go before the same bench," Justice Nath reiterated.