The Supreme Court permitted parties involved in the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) election dispute to approach the Delhi High Court for interim relief concerning the resumption of vote counting, while urging that the matter be heard on an urgent basis, preferably on Monday.
The issue was mentioned before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi.
The matter assumes significance in light of the Supreme Court’s earlier order dated May 18, by which it directed that further counting of ballot papers in the BCD elections remain halted following allegations of tampering. At the same time, the apex court had transferred the proceedings to the Delhi High Court and directed that the case be heard on a day-to-day basis by a Special Bench.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh submitted that the parties were not presently seeking a declaration of the election results, but were only requesting that the counting process be allowed to continue. He further informed the Court that the ballot papers were currently lying unsecured and highlighted the substantial costs already incurred in conducting the elections.
In response, the Bench observed that the parties were free to move the Delhi High Court for appropriate interim directions. It clarified that the High Court should independently consider any plea regarding the continuation of vote counting and should not be influenced by the Supreme Court’s previous order suspending the process.
The Apex court has requested the Delhi High Court to list the matter before an appropriate Bench at the earliest opportunity, preferably on Monday, and to consider the interim issues relating to the continuation of the counting exercise.
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