The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a notice to Congress Rajya Sabha member Karamvir Singh Boudh in response to an election petition filed by Satish Nandal, an independent candidate who contested the Haryana Rajya Sabha seat on March 16. The court has sought Boudh's response by July 13.
Petition Details
Nandal's petition seeks to have the vote cast by Ellenabad MLA Bharat Singh Beniwal declared illegal and void, claiming it violated the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. He has also requested the court to set aside the March 16 order from the returning officer (RO), which he argues erroneously rejected the request to cancel Beniwal's vote.
Election Outcome
Sanjay Bhatia of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Boudh were declared winners in the Rajya Sabha election. The challenge by the petitioner is based on two primary grounds.
Grounds for Challenge
First, the alleged manipulation of records and non-submission of mandatory documents. Second, the improper acceptance of Boudh's nomination papers in violation of election rules. The petition alleges that Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the authorised agent for the Congress candidate, impermissibly handled and touched Beniwal's ballot paper during the voting process.
Allegations and Evidence
According to the petition, the returning officer previously observed that while the ballot was touched, it was not handed over to the agent. Although the Election Commission initially found no legal violation based on the RO's report, the petitioner claims that video evidence will prove the principle of ballot secrecy was breached.
Impact on Election Result
Nandal argues that the acceptance of this single vote materially affected the final outcome, and Boudh's election should therefore be set aside. The court's notice marks a significant step in the legal challenge to the Rajya Sabha election results.
