New Delhi, 8 December (H.S.): The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a notice on a petition challenging the 2023 Assembly election victory of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the Varuna constituency. The notice was issued by a bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath, which heard the plea filed by petitioner Shankar.This comes after the Karnataka High Court, on April 22, had dismissed the petitioner’s election challenge, prompting an appeal before the Supreme Court.

The petition alleges that Siddaramaiah engaged in “corrupt practices” under the Representation of the People Act during the 2023 polls by announcing a series of freebie schemes in the party manifesto to influence voters.

During the hearing, the bench asked the petitioner’s counsel how the mere issuance of an election manifesto could amount to corrupt conduct. In response, counsel for the petitioner cited the pending Subramaniam Balaji vs. State of Tamil Nadu case before a three-judge bench of the apex court, which is examining whether pre-election promises of freebies constitute corrupt practices under election law.

The court took note of the arguments and issued a notice to Siddaramaiah seeking his response. The matter will be heard further after the pending reference in the Balaji case is decided.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar