2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Upholds AIMIM MLA’s Malegaon Election Victory
The Supreme Court heard challenges to an election in Malegaon Central.
Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique won the seat in Maharashtra in 2024.
He won by 162 votes.
A losing candidate said the election campaign improperly used religion and gender-related messages.
The candidate also said voters were influenced by threats of divine displeasure.
Khalique denied the accusations and called them vague and baseless.
The Bombay High Court rejected the challenge because it did not present a complete legal case.
The Supreme Court dismissed further pleas against that decision.
The Supreme Court dismissed two pleas challenging Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique’s election.
Khalique won Malegaon Central in the November 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections by 162 votes.
A defeated candidate alleged religious, gender-based and other corrupt practices under election law.
The Bombay High Court had rejected the election challenge on June 8.
The Supreme Court’s decision leaves the high court’s rejection of the election petition in place.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique, and a defeated election candidate.
- What
- The Supreme Court dismissed challenges to Khalique’s election as the Malegaon Central MLA.
- Where
- Malegaon Central constituency in Maharashtra.
- When
- The Maharashtra assembly election was held in November 2024; the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, after the high court’s June 8 judgment.
- Why
- The challenge alleged corrupt practices involving religious appeals, spiritual pressure and gender-based pamphlets.
Election Challenge
Election Defense
Alleged corrupt practices
Election Challenge
The defeated candidate alleged that Khalique’s campaign violated the Representation of the People Act, 1951, by appealing to religion and religious sentiments.
Election Defense
Khalique said the allegations were vague, unsubstantiated and baseless.
Religious and spiritual influence
Election Challenge
The challenge claimed Khalique, described as a religious leader, influenced voters through threats of divine displeasure or spiritual censure.
Election Defense
The high court held that the election petition did not establish a complete cause of action requiring a trial.
Gender-related campaigning
Election Challenge
The petition alleged pamphlets said people who elected a woman leader could never prosper, and noted that two women candidates were contesting.
Election Defense
Khalique’s application to dismiss the petition was allowed by the high court, and the Supreme Court dismissed pleas challenging that outcome.
Key facts
- Candidate
- Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique
- Party
- AIMIM
- Constituency
- Malegaon Central
- Election
- 2024 Maharashtra assembly election
- Winning margin
- 162 votes
- High court decision
- The Bombay High Court rejected the election petition on June 8.
- Supreme Court outcome
- Two pleas challenging the high court judgment were dismissed.
Quotes
Bombay High Court
The high court that previously rejected the election petition challenging Khalique’s election
“Resultantly, the application (filed by Khalique) deserves to be allowed and the election petition is liable to be rejected.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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