Political Interest Litigation' : Supreme Court Rejects PIL For CBI Probe Against TV Channels For Alleged Manipulation Of Exit Polls

The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into certain television channels accused of manipulating exit polls to sway public opinion. The petitioner contended that the exit polls had been tampered with to influence electoral outcomes, which is a violation of the democratic process. However, the apex court categorized the petition as a "political interest litigation," suggesting it was filed with a political agenda rather than genuine public interest. The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a CBI investigation. This judgment underscores the judiciary's cautious approach towards politically motivated PILs, ensuring that courts are not misused for settling political scores or pursuing vendettas, while protecting the integrity of the democratic process.