New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to frame rules for registration and regulation of political parties, in order to ensure secularism, transparency, and political justice.

A division bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought Centre and ECI response in four weeks and asked the petitioner to implead all registered and recognised political parties in the case, as any directions in the case would directly affect them.

The petition filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay also sought direction to take steps to reduce the menace of corruption, casteism, communalism, criminalisation, and ...