The Supreme Court specifically asked the ECI not to publish the result of the recounting of votes.
Published Oct 14, 2025 | 6:21 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2025 | 6:21 PM
Malur MLA KV Nanjegowda. (Facebook)
Synopsis: Appearing for Nanjegowda, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the high court had not decided on any of the seven framed issues. He also questioned the high court’s adverse inference drawn against the returning officer, who was not a party in the case.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 14 October, partially set aside a Karnataka High Court order and allowed Congress leader KY Nanjegowda to continue as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
The high court had nullified Nanjegowda’s victory from Malur, Kolar, in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, citing irregularities during the original counting. Nanjegowda filed an appeal in the Supreme Court.
However, while partially staying the high court order, a Bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi directed the Election Commission of India to recount the votes and submit the result in a sealed cover, LiveLaw reported.
Nanjegowda had won by a narrow margin of 248 votes over BJP’s Manjunath Gowda, who filed the petition claiming irregularities during vote counting.
The high court allowed Manjunath Gowda’s petition and set aside Nanjegowda’s election. It also directed the ECI to recount votes and declare the results within four weeks. The court also noted that a video recording of the counting of votes was not provided for verification.
Following the high court order, Nanjegowda approached the Supreme Court.
Appearing for Nanjegowda, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the high court had not decided on any of the seven framed issues. He also questioned the high court’s adverse inference drawn against the returning officer, who was not a party in the case.
Arguing on behalf of Manjunath Gowda, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani said Section 100 (d) (iv) of the Representation of the People Act allowed the high court to declare an election void for non-compliance with the Act or the Constitution.
The Supreme Court will take up the matter again on 24 November.
