CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday declined to stay the result of the Chandigarh mayoral election that was challenged by the joint candidate of Congress-Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Kuldeep Kumar.
However, a division bench of Justices Sudhir Singh and Harsh Bunger issued notices to the Union Territory administration, Municipal Corporation and others to file their replies within three weeks. The court then listed the case for hearing on February 26.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Gurminder Singh, said the court has given three weeks to the administration, the municipal corporation and others to file their replies. Senior standing counsel Anil Mehta said the court did not provide any interim relief to the petitioner.
On Tuesday, Congress-AAP candidate Kumar moved the high court challenging the results of the mayoral elections. He has sought to set aside the process of the poll alleging “complete fraud and forgery”.
He has also sought instructions to restrain the newly elected mayor from discharging his duties. He sought directions from the high court for elections to be held afresh.
“Fresh elections should be held under the supervision of a Retired High Court Judge, and a thorough investigation of the election process be carried out by an independent investigation agency headed by SSP Chandigarh. The entire process of the election, including the ballot papers and video graphics evidence, be sealed, and the newly-elected mayor be restrained from discharging the functions of Mayor as the entire process of election is vitiated by fraud,” petitioner said.