The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has dismissed an election petition challenging the victory of Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, the Congress candidate from Maharashtra’s Latur constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The petitioner, Narsingrao Udgirkar of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, claimed that Kalge falsely identified as a member of the “Mala Jangam” Scheduled Caste (SC), making him ineligible to contest the SC-reserved seat.
Justice Arun R. Pednekar rejected the petition, stating it lacked sufficient legal grounds and essential details. The judge emphasized that caste validation falls under the exclusive authority of the Caste Scrutiny Committee, and the court would only intervene in cases of fraud or incompetency. A parallel petition, raising similar allegations about Kalge’s caste certificate, was also dismissed.
Udgirkar’s arguments that Kalge’s caste documents were faulty or fraudulent, including discrepancies in school records and family documentation, were found insufficient. The court concluded that the petitions did not provide enough evidence to invalidate Kalge’s caste certificate or election.
Advocates Jayshree Patil and Uttam Laxmanrao Telgaonkar represented the petitioner.
