Supreme Court Pauses Solan Mayor Elections Citing Gender Bias Case

The Supreme Court has halted the new mayoral election in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, citing gender bias in the disqualification of incumbent Mayor Usha Sharma. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan have issued a notice on Sharma and former Mayor Poonam Grover's challenge to the disqualification ruling by the high court.

The Supreme Court on Monday put a hold on the fresh mayoral election in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, citing gender bias in the disqualification of incumbent Mayor Usha Sharma. The bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan termed the disqualification as a 'case of male bias.'

The legal notice was issued in response to a plea by Usha Sharma and former mayor Poonam Grover, challenging the June 25 high court order upholding their disqualification. According to the Supreme Court, the election disqualified a woman who was elected by the councillors, raising questions on gender fairness.

The high court had disqualified Sharma and Grover for violating party directions during the election of mayor and deputy mayor. The Supreme Court highlighted flaws in the high court's reasoning, keeping the fresh elections in abeyance and ordering further scrutiny into the matter.

(With inputs from agencies.)