Karnataka: Ex-MLA Raje Gowda moves SC challenging vote recount in Sringeri

Bengaluru: Ex Congress MLA TD Raje Gowda has moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order calling for a recount of postal ballots in Sringeri assembly constituency. The recount, taken up by the election officials on May 2, led to his BJP rival DN Jeevaraj being declared the winner.

Gowda’s legal counsel mentioned the case before the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday and requested a urgent hearing in view of the Congress leader losing his MLA post. The CJI agreed to list the matter on Monday (May 11).

The development comes as the ruling Congress in Karnataka has decided to take the case to its logical conclusion. The Chikmagalur police even registered an FIR on two election officials as well as on Jeevraj on a complaint that they allegedly tampered with the postal ballots. The High Court, however, has stayed investigations arising out of the FIR till June 3.