Bombay High Court dismisses petition challenging election win of Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the election win of Mumbai North-Central Member of Parliament (MP) and Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad..Single-judge Justice Sharmila Deshmukh today dismissed the election petition filed by a rival candidate, Asif Siddiqui, who had alleged electoral malpractices and procedural violations in Gaikwad’s poll campaign..The Court pronounced the verdict after hearing arguments on the maintainability of the petition. A detailed order is awaited. .Siddiqui moved the Court claiming that Gaikwad’s campaign handbills did not comply with mandatory printing norms and alleged that money was distributed to voters in exchange for votes.Gaikwad’s counsel, advocate Tejas Deshmukh, said that the petition lacked material evidence and failed to elaborate on the nature of alleged false promises made in her campaign. He also pointed out that the petitioner had not annexed any videos to support the bribery claim and that the only named individual in the allegation - sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Zeeshan Siddiqui - belonged to the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), not Gaikwad’s party.On the other hand, advocate Moin Chowdhari, appearing for Siddiqui (petitioner) contended that the videos were withheld from the petition out of concern for witness safety but had been presented to the police and Election Commission. He also alleged that Gaikwad had provided a false residential address in her court filings.The Court after considering the arguments rejected the petition.With the petition now dismissed, Gaikwad’s position as the sole Congress MP from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region remains unchallenged..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.