In a recent twist, the Gauhati High Court has summoned BJP Member of Parliament Kripanath Mallah following an election petition lodged by Congress candidate and Senior Advocate Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, who lost to Mallah by 18,360 votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The plea, spearheaded by Choudhury, accuses Mallah of engaging in “corrupt practices” to secure his victory in Assam’s Karimganj constituency. Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi responded to the allegations, directing that summons be issued and necessary steps taken promptly.
The core of Choudhury’s accusations revolves around claims of widespread rigging and booth capturing, alleging that Mallah used undue influence and bribery to intimidate voters. According to the petition, these corrupt activities were rampant across 47 polling stations, potentially affecting more votes than the margin of Mallah’s victory.
Furthermore, Choudhury has questioned the integrity of the voting process, pointing to discrepancies in the voter turnout data provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The petition notes an unexplained surplus of 3,811 votes counted, which raises suspicions of additional malpractices.
Despite several complaints filed with both the election agent and the ECI, Choudhury asserts that no action was taken to address these issues. The Court is set to hear the matter further on August 19, leaving the legitimacy of Mallah’s election hanging in the balance.
