Mumbai, Apr 7 The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed an election petition filed by Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Sadanand Sarvankar challenging the victory of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Mahesh Sawant from Mahim Assembly constituency in the 2024 Maharashtra elections.
Justice Arif Doctor dismissed Sarvankar's plea on technical grounds as he had not followed the mandatory procedure before filing the petition.
The HC pointed out that under section 117(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a petitioner is required to deposit security for costs at the time of presenting the election petition.
Sarvankar filed the petition on January 4, 2025, but deposited the required amount two days later, the court noted in the order.
The requirement is mandatory and not merely procedural, making the petition defective, it said.
Sarvankar had alleged that Sawant misled voters by failing to disclose four to five pending criminal cases in his election affidavit.
The court noted that Sawant had, in fact, disclosed as many as 20 pending criminal cases in his nomination affidavit.
Sarvankar had lost to Sawant in a closely fought contest, securing 48,897 votes against his rival's 50,213 votes.
