Delhi High Court Seeks Bansuri Swaraj's Response to Somnath Bharti's Election Petition

The Delhi High Court has called upon BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj to respond to AAP leader Somnath Bharti's challenge against her Lok Sabha election victory. Bharti alleges electoral misconduct and corrupt practices. The court also dismissed BSP candidate Raaj Kumar Anand from the case and scheduled a hearing regarding EVM and VVPAT release.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj's response to AAP leader Somnath Bharti's plea challenging her Lok Sabha election victory from the New Delhi constituency, citing alleged 'corrupt practices'.

Meanwhile, the court removed BSP candidate Raaj Kumar Anand from the list of respondents as no valid cause of action was found against him. Bharti had claimed Anand was set up by the BJP to assist Swaraj. The court noted that Anand's 5,269 votes would not have altered the election result.

The Returning Officer also opposed inclusion in the case, stating he was neither a necessary nor a proper party under the Representation of the People Act. The court scheduled a hearing on Tuesday to address the release of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora's Bench issued notice to Bansuri Swaraj, giving her 30 days to respond. Bharti, through Advocate KC Mittal, sought direction to the Returning Officer for election records from the May 25, 2024 poll.

The petition claims Bharti lost to Swaraj, who allegedly benefited from unlawful practices. Anand purportedly resigned from AAP due to pressure from investigative agencies and filed his nomination as a BSP candidate, only to join BJP post-election.

Further allegations in the plea include BJP workers distributing money and materials and religiously charged campaigns by Swaraj. The court will continue to examine these claims in subsequent hearings.

(With inputs from agencies.)