JK News Today
Udhampur, Nov 30: The High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh is set to hear a petition challenging the election win of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Balwant Singh Mankotia from the Chenani constituency of Udhampur district in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Former Minister and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (India) leader Harsh Dev Singh has filed a plea, accusing Mankotia of engaging in corrupt election practices, including bribery and undue influence.
Harsh Dev Singh, who lost the election by a margin of 15,611 votes, has claimed in the petition that the Chenani Assembly election was marred by large-scale corrupt practices, including the use of religion for votes and the dissemination of false information about him. He alleges that Mankotia and his supporters distributed gifts, cash and liquor to voters on a massive scale to secure votes. Several voters have come forward, stating that they were offered huge cash or lured with freebies.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal sought responses from BJP legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia, the Election Commission of India, the Chief Electoral Officer, and the Jammu and Kashmir government. The court also issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department and the returning officer of the Chenani assembly constituency.
The petition seeks to declare Mankotia’s election void.
The court has listed the case for the next hearing on March 11, 2025.
