On Friday, the Supreme Court declined to entertain the plea filed by Karnataka Congress MLA TD Rajegowda, which sought to challenge the "vague allegations" made in a petition questioning his victory in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.
The election petition, filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader DN Jeevaraja, is currently pending before the Karnataka High Court. Rajegowda had defeated Jeevaraja to secure the MLA seat from the Sringeri assembly constituency.
Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, representing Rajegowda, informed the Supreme Court that Jeevaraja had made vague allegations, such as the use of black money during the elections, without providing any supporting evidence to challenge the election results.
However, the Bench, consisting of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, refused to entertain Rajegowda's plea at this stage.
"We were also concerned with vague allegations but there is a provision which allows evidence to be produced," the Court observed.
The Court thus refused to entertain the plea.
"We hold that there is no reason to entertain this at this point of time and can be suitably addressed," it said.
Rajegowda had previously filed a similar plea last year, objecting to the vague allegations raised against his election victory.
At that time, the Supreme Court had remarked that the Congress leader would have the right to challenge the admissibility or relevance of any evidence presented by Jeevaraja to support his allegations at an appropriate stage in the proceedings.
"The Election Tribunal-cum-High Court is requested to consider such objections in accordance with law," the top court had ordered on September 27, 2024.
Today, the Court told Rajegowda's counsel that its earlier order takes care of his concerns.
"'Admissibility' or 'relevance' is the word used ... It takes care of your concern," the Bench said.
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