In a dramatic courtroom exchange, the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, sternly warned against attempts to obstruct the swearing-in of Haryana’s newly elected government, during a Supreme Court hearing. The Congress party had approached the apex court challenging the Haryana Assembly election results, citing discrepancies in electronic voting machine (EVM) operations.
During the proceedings, CJI Chandrachud directly addressed the Congress’s legal team, expressing his disapproval of their plea to halt the governmental formation process. “You want me to stop the oath of an elected government? I’ll impose costs on you,” he remarked, indicating the court’s reluctance to intervene in the electoral process without substantial evidence.
The legal battle centers on a petition filed by individuals Priya Mishra and Vikas Bansal, represented by advocate Narendra Mishra, who demand a re-election in 20 assembly seats. They allege that variations in EVM battery capacities during the October 8, 2024 elections compromised the integrity of the results. These allegations are backed by concerns raised by Congress candidates, who reported that EVMs showed inconsistent battery levels, some as low as 60-70%, potentially affecting the machines’ reliability.
Furthermore, the petitioners highlighted shifts in voter turnout data, which saw an increase from 61.19% on October 5 to 67.90% on October 7, just before the counting commenced. This discrepancy has raised suspicions of foul play in the electoral process.
The petition argues for a thorough investigation into the charging and operation of EVMs and has urged the Supreme Court to mandate a re-election in the affected constituencies. It also seeks a directive for the Election Commission to publish detailed voting data and ensure the security of the stored EVMs.
