In a recent, The Supreme Court has put a stay on Gujarat HC order which had nullified the election of BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama on the grounds of malpractice and manipulation.
SC issues notice in the matter. Justice Shantanagoudar says that the Gujarat HC order has to stay.
A bench headed by Justice MM Shantanagouder issued notice to the Election Commission and the rival Congress candidate Ashwin Rathod on the appeal filed by Chudasama against the high court order of May 12.
Senior advocates Harish Salve and NK Kaul represented Chudasama while the rival Congress candidate was represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal.
Chudasama won from Dholka assembly constituency in the election held on December 14, 2017.
Chudasama 327-vote victory was challenged by the rival Congress’ candidate alleging misconduct and violation of the poll code in the counting of votes.
Ashwin Rathod had demanded re-verification of 429 postal ballots, which were rejected by the returning officer.
During the early part of the hearing, the court had lashed out at the returning officer for not submitting a complete set of video footage of moving camera and CCTV camera of the counting centre.
The video footage was played in the court in which Chudasama’s assistant personal secretary Dharmin Mehta was seen moving around inside the counting centre illegally carrying out a conversation on phone with Chudasama’s official polling agent Mahendersinh Mandora.
