Supreme Court Orders Recount Amidst Allegations of Tampering in Mayoral Election

Supreme Court Orders Recount Amidst Allegations of Tampering in Mayoral Election

Asif Iqbal | February 20, 2024 | 03:46 PM IST | Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Supreme Court Orders Recount Amidst Allegations of Tampering in Mayoral Election

Supreme Court Orders Recount Amidst Allegations of Tampering in Mayoral Election

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud announced that the Supreme Court will instruct a recount of votes from last month’s mayoral election, specifically focusing on eight votes that were declared “invalid” by Returning Officer Anil Masih. These eight votes were initially in favor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and were allegedly marked “invalid” due to tampering by Mr. Masih. The Chief Justice strongly criticized Mr. Masih during the hearing, questioning the legitimacy of discarding these votes.

Charges of Tampering Emerge as Returning Officer Faces Scrutiny

The court session commenced with Chief Justice Chandrachud challenging Mr. Masih to demonstrate how the eight ballots were deemed “defaced.” Mr. Masih had earlier claimed that he marked the papers because they were “defaced” and should not be counted. However, upon examination, the Chief Justice highlighted that all eight ballots received the stamp for the AAP candidate, Kuldeep Kumar. The judge criticized Mr. Masih for putting a single line on each of these ballots and expressed concern about potential tampering.

Outcry in Court as Actions Deemed “Contempt of Court”

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Mr. Kumar, accused Mr. Masih of committing “contempt of court” and described his actions as a “heinous crime.” Singhvi pointed out that Mr. Masih’s actions were caught on video, and he expressed disbelief that Mr. Masih would attempt to mislead the court. The hearing revealed mounting concerns over the integrity of the election process and raised questions about the validity of the discarded votes.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.