Did the SC Just Overturn the Sarpanch Election in Panipat?
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Synopsis
In a significant judicial intervention, the Supreme Court has overturned the election of the Sarpanch for Gram Panchayat Buana Lakhu in Haryana's Panipat district. Following a court-monitored recount, the appellant Mohit Kumar was declared the rightful winner, underscoring the importance of electoral integrity.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court annulled Sarpanch election results.
- Appellant Mohit Kumar declared winner after recount.
- Court-monitored recount emphasized electoral transparency.
- Election Tribunal can still adjudicate unresolved issues.
- Judiciary plays a crucial role in electoral integrity.
New Delhi, Aug 13 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has annulled the election results for the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Buana Lakhu located in Haryana’s Panipat district after a recount monitored by the court revealed that the appellant received the most votes.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and N.K. Singh instructed the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Election Officer of Panipat to issue a notification within two days, officially declaring the appellant, Mohit Kumar, as elected and permitting him to take office immediately.
The Sarpanch election took place on November 2, 2022, with the respondent, Kuldeep Singh, initially announced as the winner. Mohit Kumar contested the result before the Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division)-cum-Election Tribunal, which, on April 22, 2025, found sufficient grounds for a recount at a booth. However, this decision was overturned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 1, prompting an appeal to the apex court by Mohit Kumar.
On July 31, the Justice Kant-led bench mandated the District Election Officer to present all EVMs to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.
"The appointed Registrar shall recount votes from all booths, not just the disputed ones. The process must be recorded on video, and the results will be signed by the Registrar, the petitioner, the respondent no.1 or their authorized representatives, along with the assisting counsel," it stated.
Following the Supreme Court's instructions, the OSD (Registrar) carried out the recount from all booths, culminating in a final tally of 1,051 votes for Mohit Kumar compared to 1,000 votes for Kuldeep Singh.
Accepting the recount results, the Justice Surya Kant bench remarked: "There is no apparent reason to doubt the report provided by the OSD (Registrar), especially since the recount was video-graphed and signed by the representatives of both parties. We believe that the appellant rightfully deserves to be declared the elected Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Buana Lakhu, District Panipat, Haryana.
In the spirit of justice, the apex court permitted the parties to raise any unresolved issues that could be adjudicated by the Election Tribunal, stating that "the Election Tribunal shall treat the report of the OSD (Registrar) as conclusive regarding the recount results."
It specified that the direction to declare the appellant as the elected Sarpanch will remain conditional pending the final ruling from the Election Tribunal.
Concluding the appeal along with all outstanding applications, the Supreme Court nullified the Punjab and Haryana High Court's judgment, as the recounting process was completed following its directive.
Point of View
The court's decision reaffirms the principle that every vote counts and the judiciary remains a guardian of democracy. Moving forward, it is vital for electoral bodies to implement robust mechanisms to prevent disputes and maintain the integrity of elections.
NationPress
08/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Supreme Court to intervene in the Sarpanch election?
The Supreme Court intervened after a recount, monitored by the court, showed discrepancies in the original election results, with the appellant Mohit Kumar securing the highest votes.
How did the recount process unfold?
The Supreme Court ordered all EVMs to be presented for recounting, which was duly video-graphed, ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
What implications does this ruling have for future elections?
This ruling emphasizes the importance of electoral integrity and transparency, encouraging electoral bodies to adopt measures that prevent disputes and ensure accurate vote counting.
Can the election result still be contested after this ruling?
Yes, the Supreme Court's decision allows the parties to raise any unresolved issues before the Election Tribunal, which will consider the recount report as conclusive.
Who is Mohit Kumar in this context?
Mohit Kumar is the appellant who challenged the election results, asserting that he received more votes than Kuldeep Singh, the initially declared winner.
