The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to AAP leader and former Chief Minister Atishi, following a plea that challenges her election on allegations of corrupt practices during the recent assembly polls.
Justice Jyoti Singh also issued notices to the Election Commission of India, Delhi Police, and the returning officer of the Kalkaji assembly constituency, from where Atishi won the seat. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on July 30.
The petition, filed by Kamaljit Singh Duggal and Ayush Rana through advocate T. Singhdev, claims that Atishi and her election agents engaged in corrupt practices during the polls and seeks to declare her election null and void.
Atishi secured a victory from the Kalkaji constituency by defeating her BJP rival, Ramesh Bidhuri, by a margin of 3,521 votes. The petitioners, who are residents of Kalkaji, argue that the alleged malpractices undermine the legitimacy of the election. Voting was conducted on February 5, with results declared on February 8.
During the hearing, the counsel for the Election Commission and the returning officer objected to being impleaded as parties in the petition.
As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the court’s next step in this high-profile challenge to Atishi’s election.
