Overview
- The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta sought Siddaramaiah’s response to a petition contesting his 2023 Varuna Assembly election.
- The petitioner, voter K. Shankara, argues the Congress ‘five guarantees’ constituted bribery and undue influence under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act.
- He asks that the election be declared void and that Siddaramaiah be disqualified from contesting for six years.
- The Karnataka High Court had dismissed the election petition on April 22, calling it vague and barred by law in view of the Supreme Court’s 2013 Balaji precedent.
- The Supreme Court issued notice after being told the Balaji ruling is under consideration by a three-judge bench, with similar petitions also drawing notices, even as the bench questioned how a manifesto could amount to corrupt practice.