JUDGMENT

K. Ramaswamy, J.-After spending considerable time on diverse questions canvassed across the bar, we are of the opinion that this appeal requires to be posted before a Constitution Bench for deciding the questions that arise in the appeal. We would, however, indicate in brief the facts,the findings recorded and the questions raised which impress us to refer the matter for decision by the Constitution Bench. This appeal under Section 116B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 [for short, the Act ] arises from the judgment dated December 24, 1991 of the Bombay High Court passed in Election Petition No. 11 of 1991.

2. The respondent, since deceased, his legal representatives have been brought on record and a notice, as required under the Act, was also duly published. He contested as a Congress Party candidate in the election to No. 40, Santacruz Legislative Assembly Constituency in 1990 for the Maharashtra State Assembly. The appellant is the returned candidate who filed his nomination on January 31, 1990 which was accepted on February 8, 1990. The poll was held on February 27, 1990. The result of the election was declared on March 1, 1990 declaring that t