Bombay High Court Summons Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Over Plea Challenging 2024 Election Win

On Thursday, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court issued a summons to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in response to an election petition challenging his victory in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections.

The petition, filed by Congress leader Prafulla Vinodrao Gudadhe, alleges procedural lapses and corrupt practices during the election process.

Gudadhe, who contested against Fadnavis from the Nagpur South-West constituency, lost by a significant margin of 39,710 votes.

Allegations in the Election Petition

Filed in January 2025, Gudadhe’s petition requests the High Court to declare Fadnavis’ win “null and void,” based on claims that the election was marred by irregularities.

Gudadhe’s legal representatives, Pavan Dahat and AB Moon, contend that mandatory provisions were not adhered to during the election, which they argue affected the fairness of the result.

The petition seeks the court’s intervention to address these alleged lapses and ensure the integrity of the election process.

Court Proceedings and Summons Details

Justice Pravin S. Patil, presiding over the matter, issued a summons to Fadnavis on Thursday, with the summons set to be returned on May 8, 2025.

The High Court also addressed similar petitions regarding other BJP candidates, including Mohan Mate, the MLA from Nagpur South, and Kirtikumar Bhangdia, the representative from Chimur seat in Chandrapur district.

These petitions allege similar concerns about the electoral process in their respective constituencies.

While Fadnavis does not need to appear personally in court on May 8, his legal representative must be present to respond to the petition.

This marks a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding the 2024 Maharashtra elections.

Fadnavis’ Victory and Political Context

Devendra Fadnavis emerged victorious in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, leading the BJP to a strong position in the state’s legislature.

The elections saw the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, securing a resounding victory.

The alliance won 230 seats out of 288, with the BJP claiming 132 of those seats. Fadnavis was subsequently sworn in as the Chief Minister, while Shinde and Pawar took up deputy roles in the newly formed government.

Despite the BJP’s triumph in the election, the petitions filed by Gudadhe and others suggest discontent with the conduct of the election process.

The High Court’s decision to issue summons to Fadnavis indicates the seriousness with which these allegations are being addressed.

Impact of the Election Results and Allegations

The allegations of procedural lapses and corrupt practices are serious, as they could potentially undermine the legitimacy of Fadnavis’ victory and that of other BJP candidates in the state.

These petitions, filed by Gudadhe and others, highlight the concerns of opposition parties regarding the transparency and fairness of the election. If the court finds merit in these claims, the outcome of the 2024 elections could be subject to legal scrutiny and potential consequences.

The court’s involvement in these petitions underscores the ongoing tension between the ruling BJP and opposition parties in Maharashtra.

The result of the legal proceedings could have significant political implications for the future of the state’s governance, especially as Fadnavis continues to serve as the Chief Minister.

Similar Petitions Against BJP MLAs

In addition to the petition against Fadnavis, the High Court has also addressed election disputes involving BJP candidates Mohan Mate and Kirtikumar Bhangdia.

Both candidates are facing challenges in their respective constituencies, with claims of procedural violations similar to those raised in Gudadhe’s petition.

The court’s issuance of summons to these MLAs further reflects the broader concerns regarding the 2024 assembly elections and the integrity of the electoral process in Maharashtra.

What Lies Ahead for Fadnavis and Other BJP Leaders?

The forthcoming court date on May 8 will be crucial in determining the next steps for Fadnavis and the other BJP leaders involved in similar petitions.

As the legal process unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the High Court addresses the allegations and whether the election results will be upheld or challenged.

For now, all eyes are on the legal proceedings, which could have significant ramifications for the political landscape in Maharashtra.