The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has called into question the legitimacy of the 2024 assembly elections in the Chenani segment, following a petition by Harsh Dev Singh of the National Panthers Party (India). Singh, a former minister who lost to BJP’s Balwant Singh Mankotia by a significant margin of 15,611 votes, is contesting the election results citing extensive irregularities.
Justice Rajneesh Oswal responded to the petition by issuing notices to the Election Commission of India, the Chief Electoral Officer of J&K, the J&K government, and other relevant parties, including the successful candidate, Mankotia. Notices were also extended to the Home Department and the returning officer of the Chenani assembly constituency, with responses expected within four to five weeks.
During the court session, Singh’s legal representative, Aseem Sawhney, detailed allegations of “large-scale corrupt practices, undue influence, and the exploitative use of religion for votes” during the election. The petition also accuses certain government officials, including the returning officer, of exhibiting bias which potentially tainted the electoral process.
