2026:CGHC:17589 Digitally signed by AFR SISTA SISTA SOMAYAJULU SOMAYAJULU Date:

2026.04.17 HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR

17:20:28 +0530 Election Petition No.1 of 2024 Order reserved on: 17/03/2026 Order delivered on: 17/04/2026 Order (Full) uploaded on: 17/04/2026 Munna Lal Toppo, S/o Late Heera Sai, aged about 44 years, R/o Village Bishunpur, P.O. Poksarai, P.S. Sitapur, Tehsil Batauli, District Surguja (C.G.)

... Petitioner versus

1. Chhattisgarh Election Commission through the Chief Electoral Officer of Chhattisgarh, Shastri Chowk, Old Mantralaya Premises, Raipur, District Raipur (C.G.)

2. District Election Officer cum Collector, Surguja, P.O. Ambikapur, District Surguja (C.G.)

3. Ravi Rahi, Returning Officer, Legislative Assembly Circle-11, Sitapur Constituency, Sitapur, District Surguja (C.G.)

4. Poorv Sainik Ramkumar Toppo, S/o Ganesh Ram, aged about 31 years, R/o Gotchhal, Post Jamkani, Tehsil Mainpath, District Surguja (C.G.)

Bharatiya Janata Party ... Respondents Single Bench: -

Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal C.A.V. Order For sake of exposition, this Order is divided in following parts:-

1. Challenge in the Election Petition The Election Petitioner herein has called