The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed one of the elections petitions challenging the 2024 election of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi [Joshi Villadom v. Suresh Gopi]

Gopi is the lone Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Kerala in the Lok Sabha.

Justice Kauser Edappagath dismissed an election petition filed against him by independent candidate [Joshi Villadom who had contested the 2024 elections that Gopi won.

Another similar plea is pending before the Court.

The petition by Velladom accused Gopi, his election agent, and his associates of having engaged in corrupt practices as defined under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Section 123 defines various acts that are considered "corrupt practices" during elections in India, including bribery, undue influence, promoting enmity between different classes of citizens based on religion, caste, or language, and using religious appeals to solicit votes; essentially outlining the actions that can disqualify a candidate from an election if they are found to engage in them.

Joshi Villadom appeared in-person.

Gopi was represented by Senior Advocate K Ramakumar and advocates BN Shivasankar, Megha Mukundaswar, Tinu T Joseph, Sanoj MA, and VIshnu B Kurup.

Binoy was represented by advocates PR Reena, Santhosh Peter, Sumesh KB, and Rakesh K.

The ECI was represented by advocate Deepu Lal Mohan.

A separate petition challenging Gopi's victory was filed by Binoy AS, an All India Youth Federation leader and a voter from Thrissur.

On April 1, the High Court dismissed an application filed by Gopi seeking to get the petition dismissed at the outset. The High Court said that Binoy's petition was maintainable and would have to be heard in detail.