Delhi HC issues notice to Atishi on plea challenging her election

Delhi High Court issues notice to Atishi on plea challenging election over alleged corrupt practices during assembly polls.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (March 26, 2025) issued notice to former Chief Minister Atishi on a plea challenging her election on grounds of alleged corrupt practices during the Assembly polls.

Justice Jyoti Singh also issued notice to the Election Commission of India, Delhi Police and the returning officer of Kalkaji Assembly constituency, from where Ms. Atishi won the election with a margin of 3,521 votes defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri. The court listed the matter for further hearing on July 30.

During the hearing, the Election Commission of India and the returning officer raised objections on being made parties in the petition.

The plea by Kamaljit Singh Duggal and Ayush Rana challenged the election of Ms. Atishi, claiming that she and her election agents used corrupt practices during the polls.

“It is further submitted that women workers of AAP later confessed that the “fake videos” were created under the instruction of Respondent No. 1 - Ms. Atishi Marlena to tarnish the image of BJP and prejudice the prospects of Mr. Bidhuri in the upcoming elections,” the plea said.

The plea added, “The Respondent No. 1 misused her official position of power to subsidise her electioneering campaign and expand her reach to voters by using official vehicles and governmental employees to canvass for her support”.