Bengaluru, 16 July

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Karnataka Legislative Council Deputy Chairman MK Pranesh challenging a Karnataka High Court order directing a recount of votes in the 2021 Legislative Council election from the Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities’ Constituency.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi found no merit in Pranesh’s plea against the High Court’s 29 January, 2025 judgment.

The ruling cleared the way for the implementation of the recount, the results of which had been kept in a sealed cover under interim court directions.

With the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal, the High Court’s decision attained finality. As a result, Pranesh’s election was set aside and Congress candidate AV Gayathri Shanthe Gowda was declared the duly elected Member of the Legislative Council.

The dispute stemmed from the 10 December 2021 election, in which BJP candidate Pranesh had won by just six votes. Shanthe Gowda challenged the result, alleging irregularities in vote counting, improper acceptance and rejection of ballot papers, violations of election rules, and the participation of nominated town panchayat members who were allegedly ineligible to vote.