SC declines to entertain BJP plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition filed by the West Bengal BJP challenging an order passed by the Mamata Banerjee government in 2013 imposing a blanket ban on use of microphones in the State during February/March every year in view of the examinations. The BJP assailed the order contending that this order would affect free canvassing during the ensuing general elections in April/May this year. A Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Sanjeev Khanna rejected plea. The CJI told senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi “You are challenging an order of 2013?” Mr. Rohatgi said “yes, but it is applied every year.”