Supreme Court Rejects BJP MLA's Plea in Jayanagar Election Dispute
In a significant development in the ongoing electoral controversy surrounding the Jayanagar assembly constituency, the Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by BJP legislator CK Ramamurthy. The petition sought a stay on the trial proceedings in the contentious election case that has captured political attention in Karnataka.
Bench Rejects Stay Plea
The plea was rejected by a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria on Wednesday. This decision marks another setback for Ramamurthy in his legal battle against the election petition filed by Congress functionary Sowmya Reddy.
The BJP MLA approached the apex court after the Karnataka High Court refused to stall the proceedings initiated by his political opponent. With the Supreme Court's rejection of Ramamurthy's plea, the hearing on Sowmya Reddy's election petition will now continue before the Karnataka High Court without further delay.
Background of the Legal Battle
This is not the first time Ramamurthy has faced disappointment in the Supreme Court regarding this case. In March 2025, the apex court dismissed another petition filed by the BJP legislator. That earlier petition challenged a Karnataka High Court order that permitted a video clip to be admitted as evidence in the ongoing election dispute.
The legal battle stems from the fiercely contested 2023 assembly elections for the Jayanagar seat. Ramamurthy secured victory by an exceptionally narrow margin of just 16 votes, defeating the then-incumbent MLA Sowmya Reddy. This razor-thin victory immediately sparked controversy and allegations of electoral irregularities.
Allegations of Irregularities
Sowmya Reddy has consistently alleged manipulation and irregularities during the recounting of votes, with particular focus on a crucial ballot that could have potentially altered the election outcome. The Congress candidate's election petition, which forms the basis of the current legal proceedings, centers on these serious allegations that have kept the constituency in political limbo.
The Supreme Court's latest decision ensures that the judicial process will move forward, allowing for a thorough examination of the evidence and allegations in what has become one of Karnataka's most closely watched electoral disputes.
