​​​​​​​New Delhi, August 17: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that the use of black money in the electoral process can undermine democracy, the rule of law and the integrity of elections, and called for timely investigation and speedy conclusion of criminal cases involving the recovery of illicit funds during elections.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and N K Singh issued a series of directions aimed at ensuring that such cases are investigated and brought to trial without undue delay.

The bench said that any external factor capable of influencing a voter's choice could compromise the very essence of democracy.

It observed that a voter's decision cannot be considered truly free when it is influenced by ill-gotten money or other forms of gratification, whether monetary or otherwise. Such influence, the court noted, may also arise from promises that could be genuine in some cases but misleading in others.

The court stressed the need for an effective and timely legal process to deal with the use of illicit money during elections, noting its potential impact on the fairness of the democratic process.