Elections cannot be stalled on account of delimitation, Karnataka poll panel tells SC
BENGALURU:
Hearing the long overdue BBMP elections-related petition in the Supreme Court on Friday, Justice S Abdul Nazeer directed the Karnataka High Court to hear the delimitation-related petition on merits and issue an order accordingly.
The 2-judge bench also comprised Justice JK Maheswari. Justice Nazeer in his order said: “Having heard the learned parties, we are also in the view that it is proper that the High Court hear the connected matters on merits and (issue) order accordingly.”
Kapil Sibal’s ‘angst’
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and others who participated in the hearing said the Karnataka High Court has asked the petitioners to get an SC clarification on hearing the matter of delimitation of BBMP wards.
Sibal said: “Delimitation is completed and we have challenged it in the Karnataka High Court. The High Court says to get a clarification from the Supreme Court. In July, the Supreme Court had directed to go to the High Court and now the High Court says to seek the direction from the Supreme Court.”
The Karnataka High Court has to deal with it independently, said Justice Nazeer during the hearing.
Advocate Phanendra, representing the Karnataka State Election Commission, said delimitation is a regular process and elections cannot be stalled due to it.
On the petition pending before the Supreme Court, Justice Nazeer has ordered for the matter to be listed after eight weeks.
The delimitation issue before the Karnataka High Court is being heard before Justice Hemanth Chandangoudar and is reserved for orders.
