High court sets aside MLA Subba Reddy’s election from Bagepalli

Bengaluru, : In a major setback to the Congress in Karnataka, the Karnataka High Court has set aside the election of Bagepalli MLA S.N. Subba Reddy, declaring his 2023 Assembly victory invalid. The order came following an election petition filed by defeated BJP candidate C. Muniraj.

Reacting to the verdict, Muniraj said he was satisfied with the outcome. “I am happy with the High Court judgment. Justice has been delivered. There are scams worth thousands of crores against S.N. Subba Reddy. We presented strong arguments before the court, which led to this verdict. This decision will strengthen people’s faith in the judiciary,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.

Muniraj alleged that Subba Reddy had submitted false information in his 2023 election affidavit and misled both the government and the Election Commission. “Despite having nine GST registrations, he disclosed only one. He did not pay GST and other taxes for years. Residential houses, commercial buildings and bars had pending taxes with the civic body for four to five years,” he claimed.

He further alleged that properties in the names of Subba Reddy’s wife and daughter were not disclosed, and that certain financial transactions with other legislators were omitted. “After I filed the petition, he cleared GST dues. In court, he admitted that mistakes had occurred,” Muniraj said.

The petitioner also sought to be declared elected as he had secured the second-highest number of votes in the constituency. However, the High Court did not grant that relief. Muniraj said he would consult party leaders and legal experts on the next course of action and expressed readiness to contest if a bypoll is announced.

Senior advocate Nalini Mayagowda, who argued the case, stated that non-disclosure of property details and failure to file GST returns formed the basis of the court’s decision. “After prolonged arguments over two-and-a-half years, the court has disqualified him. At present, he is no longer an MLA. If he approaches the Supreme Court of India, the High Court order could be stayed,” she said.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader R. Ashoka criticised the Congress, alleging electoral malpractice and questioning whether its national leaders would respond to the verdict.

The ruling has triggered fresh political uncertainty in Bagepalli, with the possibility of further legal battle or a by-election in the coming months.