HC takes on record report about plea against Rai MLA

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18

The High Court today took on record a report submitted on the result of decoding of electronic voting machines on a petition challenging the election of Jai Tirath Dahiya as MLA from the Rai constituency of the district.

As the case came up for hearing, Registrar (Grouping) SC Malik was present in the court along with the sealed report of the result of decoding. The sealed envelope was opened and the result of decoding was taken on record before being shown to the counsel for the parties.

The case will now come up on September 24 before Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu.

Congress candidate Jai Tirath Dahiya had won with a margin of just three votes from Rai in the 2014 Assembly poll. Challenging the election, rival contestant Inderjit Singh had alleged Dahiya could have won the election because of bogus voting.

In his petition challenging Dahiya’s election, it was alleged bogus voting was witnessed on booth number 83, 131, 112, 19, 25, 22 and 24 of the state Assembly seat. Taking up the matter, Justice H S Sidhu handed over the record to a registrar-rank officer before directing its examination with the help of a technical expert. Inderjit Singh had contested the Assembly poll in 2014 from Rai on an INLD ticket. Dahiya, incidentally, resigned as MLA in August.

Decoding of EVMs  

• Congress’ Jai Tirath Dahiya had won by just three votes from Rai in the 2014 Assembly poll  
• Challenging the poll, a rival contestant had alleged bogus voting could be the reason for Dahiya’s victory
• The HC on Wednesday took on record a report submitted on the result of decoding of EVMs