Bombay HC Upholds Congress MP Shobha Bacchav’s Election, Names Of Dead Voters Alone Don’t Prove Bogus Voting

The Bombay High Court upheld Congress MP Shobha Bacchav’s election from Dhule, dismissing a BJP candidate’s plea alleging bogus voting through the names of deceased voters.

The Court held that merely having the names of dead persons on electoral rolls does not prove that votes were cast in their names.

No supporting evidence from Form 17-A/17-C records, CCTV footage, or polling agent affidavits was provided under Section 100(1)(d)(iv) of the Representation of the People Act.

The petitioner also failed to prove that Bacchav’s alleged omission of criminal cases misled voters or constituted a corrupt practice under Section 123 of the Act.