HC junks plea alleging ‘vote fraud' in assembly elections
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Wednesday rejected a petition to declare the state assembly elections null and void due to 76 lakh bogus votes allegedly cast after the closing of polls at 6 pm on Nov 20 last year.
"There is nothing on record that at any polling station in the state of Maharashtra, any untoward incident or fraud took place. We, hence, fail to discern how, in the absence of any tangible material acceptable in law, which also needs to be booth-wise, there was any fraudulent voting," said Bombay HC Justices Girish Kulkarni and Arif Doctor.
Petitioner Chetan Ahire, a voter from the Vikhroli constituency, based his petition on an RTI reply obtained by Delhi resident Venkatesh Nayak from the
Election Commission of India
that "there is no data available about these votes with the ECI."
Ahire said these votes cannot be considered in declaring the results.
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
Senior advocate Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, for the EC, and the Centre's advocate Uday Warunjikar urged the dismissal of the petition as it amounts to "gross abuse of the process of law." "We wonder how the petitioner can have a locus standi to seek such wide, sweeping, and drastic reliefs to question the entire elections of the State Legislative Assembly.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Get Affordable Health Coverage Today
Search7
Learn More
Undo
It is a relief, too far-fetched, that too on the basis of no cause of action," the judges noted.
They said that this is more particularly in the context of the constitutional and statutory bar that no election to either House of a state legislature shall be called into question, except by an election petition. Such a petition is maintainable at the behest of a voter or a contesting candidate. Ahire, "having failed to demonstrate a legal injury, the sequel is automatically the lack of the petitioner's locus to maintain the writ petition.
"
The judges viewed Ahire's advocate Prakash Ambedkar's submission that the conduct of the election violated the basic structure of the Constitution and breached Ahire's fundamental rights as "wholly without foundation."
The judges said that although farcical claims are made on the purity of the process of the state assembly elections, and more particularly in the context of the EVMs and a need to replace them with ballot papers, "such plea of the petitioner appears to be in absolute desperation." The use of EVMs was held to be legal and valid by the Supreme Court, the HC said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Trump demands an end to Israeli PM Netanyahu's 'witch hunt' corruption trial, says ‘the US saved Israel, and now is going to save Bibi'
US President Donald Trump has publicly demanded the cancellation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial, calling it a politically motivated 'witch hunt' unworthy of a wartime leader. 'Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State (of Israel),' Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday. 'It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu.' The Israeli prime minister, Trump said, had been 'summoned to Court on Monday for the continuation of this long-running, politically motivated case, concerning cigars, a Bugs Bunny doll, and numerous other unfair charges.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo — TrumpDailyPosts (@TrumpDailyPosts) Praise for Netanyahu's wartime leadership Trump's comments came shortly after a US-backed ceasefire took effect following 12 days of deadly conflict between Israel and Iran. The president did not hold back his praise. Live Events 'Bibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran,' he said. 'Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land.' He added, 'Bibi Netanyahu was a WARRIOR, like perhaps no other Warrior in the History of Israel, and the result was something that nobody thought was possible, a complete elimination of potentially one of the biggest and most powerful Nuclear Weapons anywhere in the World.' Despite the ceasefire, Trump had criticised Israel the previous day for launching fresh strikes on Iran almost immediately after the truce was announced. 'Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I've never seen before,' he said. 'I'm not happy with Israel.' Still, by Wednesday, Trump had returned to defending Netanyahu, saying, 'Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me.' Netanyahu is currently standing trial in three criminal cases—Cases 1000, 2000 and 4000—each involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He was indicted in 2019, and the trial formally began in May 2020. The charges range from receiving luxury gifts—cigars, champagne, and jewellery worth over $260,000—from wealthy associates, to allegedly trying to secure favourable media coverage by offering regulatory favours. He has consistently denied all accusations, calling them 'fake' and insisting he has done nothing wrong. Cross-examination in the ongoing trial resumed on 3 June in a Tel Aviv court and is expected to last up to a year. According to reports by Anadolu Agency, this is the first time in Israeli history that a sitting prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant. Trump's defence echoes his own legal battles Trump, who is himself facing a wave of legal challenges and criminal indictments in the United States, drew parallels between Netanyahu's case and his own. 'BREAKING NEWS... I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel... is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great wartime Prime Minister!' he wrote, again using his familiar language to discredit the prosecution. He added, 'This is the first time a sitting Israeli Prime Minister has ever been on trial… He has been going through this 'Horror Show' since May of 2020—Unheard of!' Pardon not likely, says Israeli President Despite Trump's call for a pardon, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has clarified through media statements that no such request has been received and that a pardon is 'not currently on the table.' Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign unless convicted and the conviction is upheld by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, international legal scrutiny continues. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity for alleged actions in Gaza, including targeting civilians and using starvation as a tactic. The renewed public backing from Trump adds another layer to an already complex situation. Netanyahu's political standing is increasingly tied to his image as a wartime leader, especially after Israel's aggressive campaign against Iran's nuclear and military sites. The United States had reportedly joined that effort, striking two Iranian facilities with bunker-busting bombs and launching guided missiles from a submarine. Trump's comment—'It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu'—underscores just how tightly he has tethered Netanyahu's fate to Washington's influence. But whether words from Washington will influence legal proceedings in Tel Aviv remains to be seen. For now, the Israeli judiciary appears to be moving forward—with or without America's blessing.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
A Kashmiri daughter's plea unites Valley's leaders – ‘watched him suffer in silence'
A daughter's fervent appeal for better treatment of his jailed father on 'humanitarian grounds' has united the Valley's political leaders across the divide. The appeal, made by jailed separatist leader Shabir Shah's younger daughter, has united leaders across the political divide — from the ruling National Conference to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Conference to Hurriyat. Shah has been in Tihar jail since 2017. 'This is not political. This is not anti-national. This is not against any country, institution, or government. This is only about my father's life. His health. His right to be treated with dignity. Is your conscience alive?' Shah's daughter Sehar Shabir posted on X. 'My father, Shabir Shah, has spent 38 years in prison. No conviction. No justice. Today, he is gravely ill. He has been advised multiple surgeries. Yet there is no proper care, no access to medical records, and not even a single phone call in two years which is a right every prisoner is entitled to,' she said. The family has been kept away, she wrote. 'I have watched him suffer in silence, behind soundproof walls, iron grills, and broken microphones. We cannot even touch him… This is a daughter's plea for compassion, for justice, and for basic humanity. If you still have a heart, please hear me. If justice means anything, let it speak now. Not when it is too late. Because if silence wins again, remember You were told. You knew. And you chose to look away,' she wrote. In her appeal, Sehar went on to say that his father has been advised surgery for 'possible prostate cancer' but his family is being kept away and 'not given access to his medical records for the last three years'. Responding to her appeal, Srinagar MP and National Conference Leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has written a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah seeking immediate medical care for Shah. 'Shabir Ahmad Shah is now 70 years old. By every humane and legal standard, he is entitled to medical treatment with dignity and fairness. His doctors have recommended three surgeries for serious medical conditions which include life-threatening prostate cancer. Despite the gravity of his condition, he remains incarcerated since 2017, without family support,' Ruhullah said in his letter. '…Our country has legal and moral obligations, under both its Constitution and international treaties to ensure that prisoners are treated with humanity'. Seeking fair medical treatment to undertrials, Ruhullah said that in Shah's case 'multiple obligations appear to have directly been contravened'. 'The Nelson Mandela Rules (Rules 24 and 26) mandate that prisoners must receive the same standard of health care available to the general population. In Shabir Shah's case, one can quote multiple such obligations that appear to have directly been contravened,' reads the letter. It further says: 'There are clear precedents in domestic law in support of fair medical treatment of undertrials. Zahoor Watali and Gautam Navlakha were both granted house arrest on medical and humanitarian grounds by Indian courts…Why the same consideration can't be extended to Mr. Shah, whose legal status remains that of an undertrial, is a question his family has constantly raised…The measure of a nation is how it treats its weakest. Let us not fail that test'. Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti has also urged the Home Minister to take a humanitarian view in Shah's case 'Request @HMOIndia to urgently consider the heartfelt appeal of Seher Shabir whose father Shabir Shah is battling a life-threatening illness. In this critical moment we urge GOI to take a humanitarian view by ensuring he receives proper medical care. This may be the family's last chance to ease his suffering. Please let compassion guide the response,' Mufti said in a post on X. Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone demanded better medical facilities for Shah. 'Shabir Shah sahib is not well. And getting treatment is a very basic right. I humbly stand with his loved ones in demanding that he be allowed access to proper medical facilities — and the very basic right of being surrounded by his family as he fights for his health,' Lone said on X. Hurriyat chairman and the Valley's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq voiced grave concern over Shah's health and urged the Centre to 'uphold the human rights of the prisoners'. 'Reports of Shabir Shah Sahab's serious health condition in Tihar Jail, and denial of access to his family members to talk to him on phone for the past two years, or care for him when he is facing such a medical emergency and is in dire need of a surgery, is very unfortunate and disturbing,' Mirwaiz said. Shah was arrested in 2017 in an alleged terror funding case and has been lodged in Tihar jail since. In 2023, the centre banned the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) headed by Shah as an unlawful organisation. A separatist leader, Shah has spent over 38 years of his life in prison.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 26th June 2025
Bar and bench should foster mutual respect This is with reference to the article 'Justice 's haven- Courtroom of dignity and cooperation spirit' (THI, June 25). In a democratic country like India, courts play a crucial role in the protection of human rights and safeguarding fundamental rights. Bar-bench refers to the cordial relationship between judges and advocates. Judges are expected to treat advocates with courtesy, respect and fairness recognizing their crucial role in the administration of justice. At the same time the primary role of advocates is to represent clients in legal proceedings, while also upholding the law. If judges and advocates start respecting each other and act as per their conscience, courts will certainly become haven to all who approach. P Victor Selvaraj, Tirunelveli-627002 No need for complainants to visit govt offices I wonder why people with myriad representations and complaints are asked to come to the Secretariat or government office, in the first place. Administration can get a boost by putting all people-related issues and services online, so that they need not run around offices for resolving their genuine issues. With millions of illiterates around, such online centres can function on a regular basis near colonies and community halls with technical experts manning them. This can help people save precious time and money and also ensure that their woes are redressed by the concerned departments. That is the hallmark of good governance. G Murali Mohan Rao, Secunderabad-11 Naidu govt must prioritise welfare schemes The NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has completed an eventful one year in office. Despite challenges, the government has made significant strides in development, attracting investments worth Rs 9.34 lakh crore and generating 8.5 lakh jobs. Construction of Amaravati capital is also on track. However, the government needs to focus on welfare schemes, such as free bus travel to women and financial assistance to farmers. By plugging leakages and targeting benefits to those in need, the government can reduce the financial burden of welfare schemes. Sridevi Tejaswani K, Hyderabad Why leave alone Justice Varma? What is surprising even after finding huge unaccounted currency in the residence of Justice Yashwant Varma is the absence of action against him despite the damning evidence. In the light of Article 50 which nowhere says judges are above law and 124 (4) clearly laying down the procedure for impeachment of a judge, Justice Varma has clearly committed a criminal breach of trust by hoarding ill-gotten cash in his home. Since judiciary is meant to be the final recourse for justice and the Parliament having powers to impeach a judge under Article 124(4), it is time criminal prosecution of Justice Verma is taken up on an urgent basis as provided by the Constitution. K R Srinivasan, Secunderabad-3
