SC dismisses Bellary MP's petition, upholds High Court order

The Supreme Court on Thursday, dismissed a petition filed by Bellary MP J Shantha, and ordered recounting of all the polled votes in the Parliamentary constituency within four weeks of the receipt of its order.

Shantha had appealed to the apex court challenging the Karnataka High Court’s order disqualifying her as the legislator due to alleged malpractices.

A Bench of Justices R M Lodha and S J Mukhopadhaya refused to interfere with the HC’s June 11 judgment saying that it was a well-reasoned order.

Justice H Billappa of the High Court had partly allowed the election petition filed by Congress worker M Chandregouda seeking Shantha’s disqualification on the ground that irregularities were committed during the counting of votes in 2009.

The court had directed the Returning Officer-9 Bellary, to recount the votes and declare the results within four weeks.

Shantha had defeated N Y Hanumanthappa, the Congress candidate and was declared elected by a slender margin of about 2,243 votes.

According to the petitioner, Shantha had produced a false caste certificate.