New Delhi

SC admits plea challenging election of Amarinder

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 28. The Supreme Court today admitted a special leave petition against a judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court rejecting an election petition challenging the election of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to the State Assembly from the Patiala constituency in February 2002.

A Bench of Justice P. V. Reddi and Justice A. K. Mathur also issued a notice to the Chief Minister on the SLP filed by Harkirat Singh, a voter from the constituency.

The petitioner alleged that the Chief Minister had utilised the services of the then City Police Superintendent, G. S. Mehra, and senior State Government officer, B. I. S. Chahal, for furthering his electoral victory. The High Court by an order dated November 3, 2004, rejected the petition holding that the allegations of corrupt practice were not supported by a valid and legal affidavit.

In his SLP, Mr. Singh contended that it was pertinent to point out that the conduct of Mr. B. I. S. Chahal, adviser to Mr. Amarinder Singh, in actively advancing the electoral prospects of the Chief Minister had invited the attention of the Election Commission, which directed initiation of disciplinary action against him. Similarly, Mr. Mehra had organised meetings to further the electoral prospects of the Chief Minister and influenced the voters by use of his status as the then Superintendent of Police.

While so the judgment of the High Court was contrary to the letter and spirit of the law and was liable to be set aside, he said.

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