SC declares AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar as Chandigarh Mayor: What the court said in its verdict

The BJP won the Chandigarh mayoral polls on January 30 defeating the comfortably placed AAP-Congress alliance candidate after the returning officer declared as invalid eight votes of the coalition partners, drawing accusations of tampering with ballots. BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar defeated Kuldeep Kumar after polling 16 votes against his rival’s 12 to bag the mayor’s post. Sonkar, however, resigned subsequently, while three AAP councillors defected to the BJP.

Here’s what the Supreme Court said in its verdict:

📌 It is evident that presiding officer Anil Masih made deliberate attempts to deface eight ballot papers, the court observed.

📌 The top court ordered criminal prosecution of the presiding officer for the misdemeanour.

📌 The court also directed issuance of a show cause notice to Masih.

📌 Examining the ballot papers, the CJI said the ballot papers on which the returning officer had put markings were those which were cast in favour of Kuldeep Kumar.

📌 It observed orally that it will direct that the votes be counted again treating the eight defaced ballots as valid and declaring the result.

📌 SC observed that the result of the Chandigarh mayoral elections was contrary to the law.

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