Published May 05, 2026 | 7:36 PM ⚊ Updated May 05, 2026 | 7:36 PM
Nearly three years after the polls, the HC-mandated recount led to Jeevaraj being declared the winner.
Synopsis: The Karnataka High Court has stayed an FIR against BJP leader and Sringeri MLA-designate DN Jeevaraj over alleged tampering with postal ballot boxes during a recount on Sunday, observing prima facie that the case appeared “motivated”. The HC-ordered recount cut Congress leader TD Rajegowda’s tally by 255 votes—more than his earlier winning margin—and led to Jeevaraj being declared the winner, but the complaint alleged a conspiracy to tamper with the ballot boxes.
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, 5 May, stayed an FIR against BJP leader and MLA-designate DN Jeevaraj for alleged tampering with ballot boxes during the recount of 2023 postal ballots in the Sringeri Assembly constituency, observing prima facie that the case appeared “motivated”.
A single-judge Bench of Justice V Srishananda directed the State to place the alleged incriminating material on record. The matter is posted for further hearing on 7 May.
“… I was also a booth agent a very long time ago. I know how it happens. But I don’t belong to any political party. Even if it was Rajegowde instead of Jeevaraj as the complainant seeking the quashing of FIR, I would have stayed it… based on principles of natural justice,” the judge said orally.
The FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint by Congress agent Sudhir Kumar Maroli after a High Court-ordered recount of 2023 postal ballots on Sunday.
The recount cut Congress leader TD Rajegowda’s tally by 255 votes, more than his original winning margin of 201 votes. Jeevaraj was declared the winner on Monday.
In his complaint, Maroli alleged that the BJP candidate conspired with the Returning Officer and the Deputy Commissioner to manipulate the recount and invalidate postal ballots cast in favour of the Congress candidate.
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After the initial count in 2023, Jeevaraj had 692 postal ballot votes, while Rajegowda had 569, according to the Returning Officer. Rajegowda was elected MLA and represented the constituency for the past three years.
After verification and recount on Sunday, Jeevaraj’s tally stood at 690, while Rajegowda’s count fell to 314, a drop of 255.
But the process has been mired in controversy.
Before the recount began, on Saturday, Rajegowda and party workers alleged that locks and seals on several ballot boxes in the strong room were tampered with.
“The High Court on 6 April had ordered re-verification and recounting. As per that order, the exercise has been completed. The court order did not direct us to announce the results; it also did not refer to EVM votes. The order was specific only to postal ballots,” the officer told reporters.
While the BJP celebrated the win, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged a “big conspiracy”, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged ‘criminal conspiracy’.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Anisha Reddy)
