Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Supreme Court denies Bhupesh Baghel relief in election petition
Two politicians in a place called Chhattisgarh in India were competing in an election.
One of them, Bhupesh Baghel, won his seat.
The other candidate, Vijay Baghel, said that was not fair.
He said Bhupesh held a big public event when the rules say all candidates must stay quiet.
This quiet time helps voters think before they vote.
Vijay asked the court to look into the matter.
A lower court said the complaint could be heard.
Bhupesh then asked the top court of India, the Supreme Court, to stop the case.
The Supreme Court said no, the case should continue.
Now a court will look at the evidence to decide what really happened.
The Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Chhattisgarh High Court order upholding the maintainability of a petition challenging Bhupesh Baghel's election from the Patan Assembly constituency.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the matter is one of evidence, including whether the alleged violation materially affected the outcome of the polls.
The petition was filed by rival BJP candidate Vijay Baghel, who accused Bhupesh Baghel of holding a roadshow during the 48-hour silence period before polling.
The alleged roadshow was said to violate Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The election being challenged was from the Patan constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections, in which Bhupesh Baghel, the former chief minister, won the seat.
- Who
- Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel; BJP candidate Vijay Baghel, who filed the petition; and a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
- What
- The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Chhattisgarh High Court order upholding the maintainability of a petition challenging Bhupesh Baghel's 2023 election win from Patan.
- When
- Friday, when the Supreme Court heard the matter.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India; the contested seat is the Patan Assembly constituency in Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- Because of allegations that Bhupesh Baghel held a roadshow during the 48-hour silence period before polling, allegedly violating Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India (three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant)
- Lower Court
- Chhattisgarh High Court
- Petitioner
- Vijay Baghel, BJP candidate
- Subject
- Bhupesh Baghel, former chief minister of Chhattisgarh
- Constituency
- Patan Assembly constituency, Chhattisgarh
- Election
- 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly elections
- Allegation
- Roadshow held during the 48-hour silence period before polling
- Legal Provision
- Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951