Bhan, J. - (1.)It is regrettable that in spite of being cautioned four times by this Court not to challenge election of the President of India in a cavalier and light hearted manner, the petitioner, who is an advocate has filed the present election petition challenging the election of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (respondent No. 1) as President of India on the same/similar grounds of challenge which stand concluded against him in petitioners own cases by several decisions of this Court. Our regret is compounded by the fact that petitioner is an advocate. He does, we presume, know the value of earlier binding precedents declaring the law by the highest court of the land.
(2.)This judgment shall dispose of Election Petition No. 1 of 2002 and Special Leave Petition No. 22385 of 2002. The facts are being stated from the Election Petition which covers and takes care of the points raised in the special leave petition as well.
(3.)Petitioner has challenged the election of Respondent No. 1 to the office of the President of India which was held in pursuance to the notification dated 11th June, 2002 published by the Returning Officer Shri R. C. Tripathi, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha. The said election was conducted under the provisions of Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 (hereinafter referred to as the Act), and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election Rules, 1974 (herainafter referred to as the Rules).