In a significant development, the Supreme Court has taken a stern stance against Anil Masih, the returning officer embroiled in the Chandigarh vote-tampering controversy. The court has directed contempt of court proceedings against Masih, citing his misdemeanors and deliberate attempts to manipulate ballot papers in favor of the BJP’s mayoral candidate.
The verdict, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, holds Masih accountable for defacing eight ballot papers, all of which were in favor of AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar. Consequently, the court has ordered that Kuldeep Kumar assumes the role of Chandigarh mayor, overturning the earlier election results.
Masih’s conduct has been strongly criticized by the court, which emphasized that his actions undermined the democratic process and integrity of the mayoral election. The bench condemned Masih’s false statements made before the court and asserted that he must be held accountable for his actions.
The court’s ruling follows scrutiny of a viral video depicting Masih tampering with ballot papers, prompting Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to denounce the act as a “mockery of democracy.” During the hearing, Masih claimed to be marking defaced ballot papers for identification purposes, a defense that was refuted by the court upon reviewing the video evidence.
Masih’s invalidation of eight votes in support of the AAP candidate ultimately led to the victory of the BJP nominee, despite the latter garnering fewer votes than the AAP-Congress alliance. The court’s intervention not only rectifies the electoral injustice but also quells speculations regarding potential political maneuvers by the BJP to retain control of the Chandigarh civic body.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the court refrained from ordering a reelection, highlighting concerns about political horse-trading. This decision reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the sanctity of electoral processes and ensuring fair representation in governance.
As contempt proceedings loom over Anil Masih, the Supreme Court’s decisive action serves as a beacon of accountability and reinforces the principles of democracy and transparency in governance.
Sources By Agencies
