- The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre and the Election Commission of India over a plea challenging the blanket legal immunity granted to the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act. - The petition argues that absolute immunity from criminal prosecution or legal proceedings for official acts undermines executive accountability and judicial review. - The case brings to focus the balance between protecting independent constitutional functionaries from malicious litigation and ensuring they remain accountable under the rule of law. - **Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act:** A 2023 legislation governing the appointment, service conditions, and tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners, which faces legal challenge over provisions granting blanket legal immunity for official acts. - **Election Commission of India:** An independent constitutional body under Article 324 responsible for administering free and fair elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President in India. - **Supreme Court:** The apex judicial court of India under Article 124, possessing power of judicial review to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive actions against the basic structure. **Introduction** The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission of India on a petition challenging provisions granting blanket legal immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, raising critical questions on institutional accountability and the rule of law. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre and the Election Commission of India over a plea challenging the blanket legal immunity granted to the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act. - The petition argues that absolute immunity from criminal prosecution or legal proceedings for official acts undermines executive accountability and judicial review. - The case brings to focus the balance between protecting independent constitutional functionaries from malicious litigation and ensuring they remain accountable under the rule of law. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act:** A 2023 legislation governing the appointment, service conditions, and tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners, which faces legal challenge over provisions granting blanket legal immunity for official acts. - **Election Commission of India:** An independent constitutional body under Article 324 responsible for administering free and fair elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President in India. - **Supreme Court:** The apex judicial court of India under Article 124, possessing power of judicial review to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive actions against the basic structure.