The Delhi High Court has called for a response from Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma following a plea challenging his recent election victory in the New Delhi constituency during the 2025 assembly elections. Justice Jasmeet Singh, overseeing the case, also directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) and 23 other candidates, including prominent figures like AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit, to respond.
The petition was lodged by Vishvanath Agarwal, who claimed that he was unfairly prevented from filing his nomination and participating in the electoral process. Agarwal’s complaint has led to the court scheduling another hearing for May 27.
Agarwal argues that despite arriving at the returning officer’s office before the 3 pm deadline on January 17 with all necessary documents, he was not allowed to submit his nomination. He is now seeking a court directive to have the election results for the New Delhi seat declared null and void and for fresh elections to be conducted.
In the contested election, Verma secured a total of 30,088 votes, narrowly edging out former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by a margin of 4,089 votes. Sandeep Dikshit was also a candidate for the same seat. The Delhi Assembly polls took place on February 5, with results announced on February 8.
