JUDGMENT

A.M. Khanilkar, J.

The present appeals emanate from the judgment and order dated 2nd August, 2016 of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, striking off paragraphs 2 & 9 to 11 of the election petition as also dismissing the election petition, being Election Petition No.8 of 2014 filed by the appellant challenging the election of respondent No.1.

2. The election in relation to Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly was held on 7th May, 2014. The appellant and respondent No.1 contested the election from the Punganur Assembly Constituency. The respondent No.1 was declared as an elected candidate. By way of an election petition, the appellant challenged the election of respondent No.1 on the ground that respondent No.1 had grossly violated several instructions issued by the Election Commission as also the provisions of The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (for short, "the Act"). Respondent No.1, in turn, took out two applications seeking to strike out paragraphs 2 & 9 to 11 of the said election petition and to dismiss the election petition in limine, both of which were ultimately allowed by the High Court.

3. The background to the pre