A bench headed by Justice MG Shukure Kamal passed the order on a petition by the defeated BJP candidate C Muniraju challenging Reddy’s election on grounds of malpractice. His petition had alleged that the Congress leader indulged in electoral malpractice and violated the election rules by concealing information on his assets and liabilities.
The 58-year-old Congress MLA had declared assets of about Rs 313 crore and liabilities of Rs 70 crore in his affidavit submitted to the authorities during the election. The state faced assembly polls in May 2023.
Muniraju had sought declaration of Reddy’s election as null and void and prayed for declaring him as elected in Reddy’s place on grounds that he secured the second largest number of votes. The court, however, allowed his petition only partly.
The development comes close to a similar election dispute involving Congress MLA KY Nanje Gowda (Malur) in the neighbouring Kolar district.
The High Court had, in September last year, set aside Gowda’s election and ordered recounting of votes. The Supreme Court, early this month, however, upheld his election and noted he emerged winner even in the recounting of votes.
