The Supreme Court was apprised on Monday that votes polled during the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections 2025 would be recounted, in view of some complaints.
Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, member of the Election Committee constituted by the Court, informed the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Dipankar Datta that, acting on complaints of Adish C Aggarwala and Pradeep Rai, who contested for the post of SCBA President, the committee found certain discrepancies in the poll process.
The Apex Court directed Hansaria to submit a report immediately after recounting the votes for SCBA President, without declaring the results. Results of other Executive Committee members’ votes should also be re-counted, it added.
Hansaria said the Committee received complaints only regarding the posts of the SCBA President and Executive Member. The Registrar General has been requested to act as Observer. The whole process would take 2-3 days, he added.
The top court of the country directed the Election Committee to first count the votes for the SCBA President and later of other posts.
It further expressed its displeasure over petitioner-lawyer Dr Adish Aggarwala appearing virtually before the Court.
Terming the members of the Election Committee as extended arms of the Court, the Bench said any attempt to browbeat them would not be tolerated.
On May 23, Senior Advocate Adish C Aggarwala moved the Apex Court challenging the results of SCBA elections 2025 over alleged irregularities.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh was elected as the SCBA President in the results announced on May 20.
Aggarwala, who was the President during the 2023-2024 term, secured 683 votes, while Singh, who was elected as the SCBA President for the fourth time, garnered 1,047 votes.
He alleged that a person who was not entitled to be the President, had been elected. He claimed that Election Commissioner, Senior Advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, campaigned for Singh.
Aggarwala claimed in his plea that about 200 additional votes were polled illegally.
The petitioner further alleged that the total number of votes polled was higher than the total number of slips issued by the election officers. The number of votes was also higher than the total number of ballot papers issued by the Election Officers, he added.
Noting that there were several discrepancies and fraud in the election process, Aggarwala accused Vikas Singh of sending emails beyond the time allowed for campaigning.
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