On Monday, the Delhi High Court adjourned the petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti, challenging the recent election of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bansuri Swaraj to the Lok Sabha, due to typographical errors in his petition [Somnath Bharti v. Bansuri Swaraj & Ors].
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora remarked during the hearing, “Your petition is full of typographical errors; I can’t issue notice because I don’t understand anything.”
Justice Arora noted that the references to respondents in the petition’s synopsis did not match the memo of parties. Specifically, the plea mentioned Respondent No. 4, who was not listed in the memo of parties.
“The petition is full of mistakes. There are too many mistakes. You will have to correct the petition first. I can’t issue notice because I can’t understand… I will adjourn and you file a corrected petition,” the Court stated.
The matter is scheduled to be heard next on August 13.
Bansuri Swaraj contested the election on a BJP ticket and defeated Bharti, the candidate from the INDIA alliance. The BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital.
In his petition, Bharti alleged that Swaraj and her election agent engaged in “corrupt practices” during the voting held in Delhi on May 25, 2024. Among various allegations, Bharti claimed that under Swaraj’s guidance, BJP workers distributed money and items like sarees and salwar suits to residents.
He further alleged that on the day of the voting, Swaraj’s agents distributed pamphlets displaying her ballot number, photo, election symbol, and a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The petition also contended that the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate, Raaj Kumar Anand, was set up by the BJP to aid Swaraj, as he was previously a minister in the AAP government in Delhi. Bharti alleged that Anand resigned from AAP under pressure from central agencies and joined the BJP after contesting the elections on a BSP ticket.
“On enquiry, Respondent No. 2 (Sh. Raaj Kumar Anand) revealed that he was under tremendous pressure from the investigating agencies and hence had no option but to resign else he would be arrested. On 06.05.2024, Respondent No. 2 (Sh. Raaj Kumar Anand) filed his nomination as an MP candidate from New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency on the ticket of Bahujan Samaj Party. In line with the practice adopted by the Bahujan Samaj Party across India, Respondent No. 2 (Sh. Raaj Kumar Anand) was set up by the party of Respondent No. 1 (Ms. Bansuri Swaraj) to help her win by cutting into the votes of the candidate of INDIA Alliance,” the petition stated.
