In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court of India has pronounced Kuldeep Kumar of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as the victor of the Chandigarh mayoral election. This decision overturns the declaration made by Returning Officer Anil Masih on January 30, who had announced BJP candidate Manoj Kumar Sonkar as the Mayor.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed gratitude, stating that the apex court had preserved democracy in challenging times.
The court's judgment stemmed from its findings that the Returning Officer had intentionally defaced eight ballots cast in favor of Kuldeep Kumar, rendering them invalid. Upon physical examination of the ballot papers, the court determined that they were not defaced. Consequently, Kuldeep Kumar was declared the winner with 20 votes, including the 12 votes he initially received and the eight ballots erroneously marked by Masih.
The Supreme Court directed further action against Anil Masih, ordering perjury proceedings under Section 340 CrPC for providing false statements regarding the defacement of the ballots. Masih was criticized by the bench for unlawfully altering the outcome of the mayoral election.
Moreover, the court instructed the Registrar Judicial to issue a notice to Masih for perjury proceedings and condemned his actions as having unlawfully influenced the mayoral election.
The Congress party welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, asserting that it would significantly contribute to safeguarding Indian democracy. Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal characterized the election process as a sham, which the court's verdict had exposed.
Additionally, the court called for the prosecution of Anil Masih for misconduct, highlighting the severity of the electoral malpractices.
The verdict followed AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar's plea accusing the Returning Officer of electoral irregularities. The Supreme Court meticulously examined the ballot papers and reviewed video recordings submitted by a judicial officer appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court's registrar general.
Also Read: Narendra Modi Encourages States to Emulate Uttar Pradesh's Example for National Advancement
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) initially emerged victorious in the mayoral poll, with Manoj Sonkar declared the winner. However, subsequent developments, including Sonkar's resignation and defections from the AAP to the BJP, raised questions about the integrity of the election process.
Overall, the Supreme Court's intervention in the Chandigarh mayoral election underscores its commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring fair electoral practices.
