New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (19 February) heard a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress challenging the Chandigarh Mayor election, in which BJP’s Manoj Sonkar was declared the winner. The petitioners alleged that the returning officer, Anil Masih, had invalidated eight votes by putting ‘X’ marks on them, thereby altering the outcome of the election.
The Chief Justice of India (CJI), D Y Chandrachud, expressed his displeasure at the conduct of the returning officer and asked him why he had interfered with the election process. He said that the returning officer had admitted to his wrongdoing and should be prosecuted for the same. He also called it a “mockery of democracy” and said that horse-trading was taking place in the city.
The CJI directed that the ballot papers and the video of the counting of votes be produced before the court on Tuesday at 2 pm when the court will resume the hearing of the case. He also ordered that the meeting of the Chandigarh Corporation, which was scheduled to be held on February 7, be deferred till further orders. He asked the administration to ensure the security of the judicial officer and the records, and the Registrar General of the High Court to depute a judicial officer to bring the ballot paper and video for the court’s perusal.
The petitioners had submitted a viral video of the returning officer as evidence of the alleged rigging in the mayoral election. They had also claimed that the BJP had lured three AAP councilors to defect to its side, thereby securing a majority in the corporation. BJP, on the other hand, had denied the allegations and accused the petitioners of creating doubt and defaming the party.
