SC reserves order on Ahmed Patel's plea on his RS election

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a petition by Congress leader Ahmed Patel against the Gujarat High Court order to proceed with the hearing of an election petition by Blawantsinh Rajput challenging his election to Rajya Sabha in 2017.

The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud reserved the order on the conclusion of the arguments by the senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and the counsel for Rajput.

Earlier in July, the top court had asked the high court not to proceed with the hearing of the election petition after the framing of issues.

Patel had questioned the maintainability of the Rajput's election petition before the high court contending that it is not backed with required documents.

Not accepting the Patel's contention on the maintainability of the election petition by Rajput, the high court had held that petitioner Rajput had substantially complied with the requirements of documents to be filed under the law and other defects can be addressed in due course, and ordered the trial.

Rajput had alleged that Patel indulged in corrupt practice by lodging 44 MLAs in a hotel in Bengaluru.

Rajput had also contested the Election Commission's decision to invalidate two votes by Congress MLAs -- Raghavji Patel and Bholabhai Gohel -- who had rebelled against the party.

Rajput had contended that once the Returning Officer has exercised his discretion and accepted two votes by rebel Congress lawmakers, the Election Commission had no jurisdiction to interfere with the decision and issue direction to the Returning Officer.

--IANS

pk/nir