Supreme Court issued notice to cm Siddaramaiah between CM change speculation
The Supreme Court of India has issued notice to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding his election from the Varuna assembly constituency in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections.
The appeal was filed by K. Shankar, a voter from the Varuna constituency, after the Karnataka High Court had dismissed his original plea. The two-judge bench issuing the notice consists of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta (or Justice Vikramanath as you mentioned).
The core of the allegation is that Siddaramaiah, and the Congress party, indulged in corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by promising the party’s widely publicized “five guarantees” (such as free electricity, financial aid for women, etc.) in their election manifesto. The petitioner claims these promises amounted to bribery or undue influence to induce voters.
The Karnataka High Court had dismissed the election petition in April, holding that promises made in an election manifesto do not automatically constitute a corrupt practice, citing Supreme Court precedents. The High Court also noted technical flaws and a “casual manner” in the drafting of the original petition.
Supreme Court Action: By issuing notice, the Supreme Court has sought a response from CM Siddaramaiah and the Election Commission on the matter. This move means the apex court has revived the legal challenge to the Chief Minister’s victory, which will be a matter of keen interest in the political and legal circles.
