Produce video footages, observer's report of Phagwara mayoral poll: HC

Following an election petition filed by the Congress over the Phagwara mayoral elections, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed that the videography of the election proceedings and the court-appointed observer’s report be produced before it on the next hearing fixed for March 19.

The case, filed by petitioners Congress councillor Sanjeev Kumar Bugga and Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, was taken up by the court today. Advocates Karanjot Singh Jhikka and Maninder Saini represented the petitioners, while the respondents, including the Municipal Corporation, sought an adjournment as the observer’s report was not presented before the court.

During the proceedings, the petitioners emphasised that videography is the fundamental piece of scientific evidence and a crucial component of the election petition. They argued that the footage would provide an objective and transparent account of the election process, aiding the court in reaching a just and rightful conclusion. Accepting these submissions, the court allowed the request and ordered the production of the videography along with the observer’s report during the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the respondents have filed an affidavit, but the observer’s report remains pending. The court’s directive ensures that the key evidence will be examined, bringing clarity and transparency to the dispute.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

On February 1, the Aam Aadmi Party had declared that councillor Ram Pal had been elected as a Mayor with a majority of 26 councillors voting in its favour. This was challenged by the Congress MLA and councillor, who claimed that they had the majority with 26 votes on their side. Since the Congress councillor had earlier moved a petition, seeking directions to ensure a fair election, a retired HC judge had been appointed as the observer and videography of the mayoral election had been ordered. The Congress is demanding that both evidences be brought on record.