SC dismiss petition against Sachin Tendulkar's Rajya Sabha nomination

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday declined to entertain a petition challenging the nomination of cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar to the Rajya Sabha.

An apex court bench headed by Justice Deepak Verma dismissed as withdrawn the petition by one Ram Gopal Singh Sisodia contending that Tendulkar's nomination to the upper house of the Indian constitution was contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

The court asked the petitioner to move the appropriate high court to raise his contention.

The petitioner contended that the Article 80(3) of the constitution provides for nomination of eminent people from the field of literature, science, art and social services. He contended that there is no provision for the nomination of an individual to the Rajya Sabha from the sports category.

Tendulkar, who was also given the honorary rank of group captain in the Indian Air Force in 2010, was nominated by the government for a seat in the upper house of parliament April 26 alongside actress Rekha and industrialist Anu Aga. (IANS)