CAV ORDER

This petition lays a challenge to the election of 1^st Respondent - Smt.Roopakala M (hereafter called ‘Returned Candidate’) from 146-Kolar Gold Field (SC) Constituency of Karnataka Legislative Asembly-2023. Petitioner has also sought for a declaration to disqualify the Returned Candidate from contesting the elections, on the fault grounds. The petition is structured on the principal grounds, succinctly stated as under:

(a) Improper acceptance of nomination papers of the Returned Candidate by the Returning Officer though her name did not figure in the electoral roll; she had not affixed the nomination paper along with Affidavit in Form 26 in a conspicuous place for the sight of voters, candidates & the public at large.

(b) Returned Candidate gave false & misleading information about her criminal antecedents i.e., her conviction for the offences in Crime No.125/2023; she has also withheld material particulars of the criminal case and the criminal appeal.

(c) Returned Candidate failed to disclose ‘important material details of movable assets’, bank deposits