The Supreme Court on Thursday, 11 June agreed to hear on Friday a plea filed by Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan challenging the rejection of her nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha election from Madhya Pradesh. A vacation Bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar assured an early hearing after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Natarajan, sought urgent listing of the matter.

Why the Urgency

During the mentioning, Singhvi argued that Thursday was the last date for withdrawal of nominations, warning that if the court did not hear the matter urgently, Natarajan would be forced to wait six years to seek effective relief. He also urged the apex court to stay the declaration of the election result pending adjudication of the dispute.

The Bench, however, declined to pass any interim order at this stage, stating the matter would be taken up on Friday. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Returning Officer, and senior advocate D.S. Naidu, appearing for the Election Commission of India (ECI), both opposed the plea for urgent intervention.

Why the Nomination Was Rejected

Natarajan's nomination papers were rejected by the Returning Officer following objections raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to the objection, Natarajan allegedly failed to disclose details of a case pending before a Telangana court in the affidavit filed alongside her nomination papers.

The BJP's objection was rooted in a petition filed by former corporate executive A. Srilatha before the Fourth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Hyderabad. That petition alleged that Natarajan had extended political patronage to Kumbham Shivakumar Reddy, against whom Srilatha had levelled allegations including molestation and criminal intimidation.

Natarajan has denied the allegations, describing them as part of a 'political conspiracy', and has opposed Srilatha's petition before the Hyderabad court.

Congress Alleges Institutional Compromise

Natarajan, who was the Congress party's lone Rajya Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh, has alleged that the Returning Officers were 'compromised' and acting at the behest of the government. She claimed that efforts were being made to 'subvert democracy' through the rejection of her nomination.

In a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, Natarajan alleged that the Returning Officers were functioning as 'spokespersons' of the ruling dispensation rather than as independent constitutional authorities — a charge the government has not formally responded to on record.

What Happens Next

The Supreme Court is set to hear the matter on Friday, 12 June. The outcome could have direct bearing on whether the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha election proceeds as scheduled or faces a legal hold. This case adds to a growing pattern of nomination disputes being escalated to constitutional courts in the days immediately before state-level Rajya Sabha polls.