Himachal High Court to hear petition challenging Rajya Sabha election on August 6

The Himachal Pradesh High Court will resume on August 6 to address a petition disputing the election of Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan. This petition, filed by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, is being reviewed by Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua.

Singhvi’s petition contests the election results, which were determined by a slip system following a voting tie. Harsh Mahajan, who emerged as the winner, has requested the dismissal of the petition, arguing it is invalid because the Election Commission was not included as a respondent.

Singhvi claims that the election process was flawed, resulting in Mahajan’s victory. Both candidates had secured 34 votes each. With the tie, a lottery system was used to declare Mahajan the winner. Singhvi has challenged this method, calling it legally incorrect and demanding a re-election.

The Rajya Sabha election on February 27 saw six rebel Congress MLAs and three independents vote against Singhvi, leading to the tie. The winner was then determined by a slip draw.

Singhvi, represented by Advocate Neeraj Gupta, is seeking to overturn the election results and push for a new election. The High Court will continue to hear arguments in the forthcoming session.