In a major relief to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging his election from the Nagpur South-West constituency in the 2024 Assembly polls.
The petition, filed by Congress candidate Prafulla Vinodrao Gudadhe, alleged procedural irregularities and corrupt practices during the electoral process. However, a bench led by Justice Pravin Patil rejected the plea on technical grounds, ruling that the petitioner was not physically present at the time of filing the election petition—a mandatory requirement under election law.
Gudadhe had lost to Fadnavis by a margin of 39,710 votes in the high-stakes contest. His counsel, Advocate Pavan Dahat, confirmed that they intend to challenge the High Court’s dismissal before the Supreme Court.
“The petition was dismissed purely on a technicality. We are preparing to move the apex court,” Dahat said following the verdict.
In addition to Gudadhe’s petition, the High Court also dismissed four other election petitions filed against BJP legislators Mohan Mate, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Deorao Bhongle, and Kiritkumar Bhangadia. Detailed copies of the orders are awaited.
