Archive · 28 Nov 2025
HC Allows Poll Challenge Against Haryana BJP MLA
A court in Punjab and Haryana decided that a challenge to a politician's election win can go forward.
The challenger, Karan Singh Dalal, says the winner, Gaurav Gautam, asked for votes by talking about religion at events before the election.
The court said the claims are detailed enough to be tested in a trial.
Gautam's team said the claims are vague, but the court disagreed.
The main trial will decide if Gautam's actions were against election rules.
The election happened in October 2024, and Gautam won by a big margin.
Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed BJP MLA Gaurav Gautam's plea to reject an election petition challenging his victory.
The petition by Karan Singh Dalal alleges corrupt practices using religion during events before the October 5, 2024, polling.
Justice Archana Puri ruled that the allegations were detailed enough to proceed to trial, noting the context of speeches at religious events.
Dalal's petition includes videos from Gautam's social media pages showing him appealing for votes at religious gatherings.
Gautam's counsel argued the claims were vague and lacked material facts, but the court found the petition met the basic requirements.
- Who
- Karan Singh Dalal (petitioner) and Gaurav Gautam (respondent)
- What
- Election petition challenging Gautam's victory on grounds of corrupt practices using religion
- When
- Hearing on October 2024, decision on October 2024
- Where
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Why
- Allegations of appealing to voters on religious grounds during events
- Petitioner
- Karan Singh Dalal
- Respondent
- Gaurav Gautam
- Election Date
- October 5, 2024
- Votes Received by Gautam
- 1,09,118
- Votes Received by Dalal
- 75,513
- Margin of Victory
- 33,605 votes
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Judge
- Justice Archana Puri