Delhi HC notice to AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak on plea challenging his election win

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued notice to Durgesh Pathak on a plea by an elector from the constituency — Ranjan Tewari — who sought that the election be declared null and void on account of the AAP leader allegedly indulging in “corrupt practices”

The Delhi high court has sought the stand of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Durgesh Pathak on a plea challenging his recent election as a lawmaker from the Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency here in the June bye-polls on grounds of indulging in corrupt practices.

The high court also directed the Election Commission and Returning Officer to preserve Durgesh Pathak’s nomination papers and other related documents (HT Photo)

The high court also directed the Election Commission and Returning Officer to preserve his nomination papers and other related documents.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued notice to Pathak on a plea by an elector from the constituency — Ranjan Tewari — who sought that the election be declared null and void on account of the AAP leader allegedly indulging in “corrupt practices”.

The petitioner argued that the MLA omitted to disclose in his nomination papers the existence of an FIR against him for the alleged commission of offences under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, which is in violation of the Representation of People Act.

The court granted six weeks to the respondents to file their reply and said, “respondents Nos.1 (EC) and 2 (Returning Officer) are directed to preserve the nomination papers and other related documents relating to the bye-election in question, during the pendency of the present petition, without the requirement of preserving the EVMs, VVPATs or the paper audit trails.”

The matter will be heard next on November 21.