Judgement

SINGH, J.:- This appeal under S. 116A, Representation of the People Act, 1050 is directed against the order of the High Court of Allahabad (Lucknow Bench) dated 12-10-1981 rejecting the election petition filed by the appellant questioning the election of the respondent as member of the Lok Sabha.

2. A by- election was held on June 14 1981 to fill up the vacancy to the Lok Sabha caused by the death of Sanjay Gandhi in the 25th Amethi Constituency in District Sultanpur in the State of Uttar Pradesh. The appellant, the respondent and 13 other candidates contested the election. On 15th June 1981 Rajiv Gandhi was declared elected having polled 258894 votes while the appellant polled 2728 votes only. The appellant filed an election petition under S.80, Representation of the People Act, 1950, (hereinafter referred to as the Act) questioning the validity of the respondent on a number of grounds, including the allegations of corrupt practice of undue influence, hiring and procuring of vehicles for carrying voters and obtaining the assistance of Government servants and incurring expenses at the election in excess of the permissible limit. The High Court issued notice to the responden