Bombay HC issues notice to Fadnavis, two BJP MLAs over poll code violation allegations in 2024 polls

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court issued notices to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP MLAs Mohan Mate and Kirtikumar 'Bunty' Bhangadiya on Thursday in connection with election petitions challenging their 2024 Assembly poll victories.

The notices follow pleas filed by defeated Congress candidates who alleged procedural violations and corrupt practices during the elections held in November last year.

Congress leader Prafulla Vinodrao Gudadhe, who lost to Fadnavis by a margin of 39,710 votes in the Nagpur South-West constituency, filed a petition in January seeking to declare the result “null and void.”


Similar petitions were filed by Congress’ Kiran Pandav against Mohan Mate (Nagpur South) and Satish Warjukar against Bhangadiya (Chimur, Chandrapur). All petitions have been filed through advocates Pavan Dahat and Akash Moon.

Justice Pravin Patil took up the matters for hearing in his chamber on Thursday and directed all three respondents to file their replies by May 8.

Petitions cite EVM use without notification

The petitioners have alleged that several mandatory electoral protocols of the Election Commission were ignored, including the failure to formally notify the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), absence of VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) verification, and non-disclosure of key records such as Form 17 and CCTV footage from strongrooms, reported TOI.

They argue that these lapses undermine the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

The court's action comes a day after it issued similar summons to BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) MLA Manoj Kayande, and BJP’s Deorao Bhongale, based on petitions filed by their respective opponents over identical concerns.

(With agency inputs)