Chhattisgarh High Court Rejects Baghel’s Plea to Dismiss 2024 Election Petition

The Chhattisgarh High Court has officially dismissed a plea filed by former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, which sought to have a petition challenging his election null and void rejected. This significant legal development in Chhattisgarh state politics means the case will now proceed to a regular hearing, with the court scheduling the commencement for June 23.

Details of the Election Petition

The legal challenge originated from a petition filed by BJP Lok Sabha member Bijay Baghel, who represents Durg. The petitioner, who is also a relative of the former Chief Minister, alleges that Bhupesh Baghel violated the Model Code of Conduct during the 2024 assembly elections. Specifically, the petition claims that the Congress leader conducted a roadshow to solicit votes in the Patan assembly constituency, an act allegedly prohibited under election rules.

While Bhupesh Baghel had urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the allegations were unsubstantiated and lacked necessary evidence, the single bench presided over by Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal found sufficient merit to proceed. The court’s decision to move forward indicates that the allegations regarding the Patan assembly seat will now undergo a full judicial examination.

Future Legal Path

Following the unfavorable verdict from the Chhattisgarh High Court, the former Chief Minister has declared his intention to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the recent ruling. This is not the first time this legal dispute has reached higher courts. Previously, a similar plea by Bhupesh Baghel was also rejected at the high court level.

During that earlier iteration, the Supreme Court had eventually directed the leader to return to the Chhattisgarh High Court to file a fresh petition specifically addressing the maintainability of his case. This current situation represents the latest stage in that ongoing legal process, keeping the electoral status of the Patan constituency in the spotlight.

As the date for the regular hearing approaches, political observers remain focused on how the judicial proceedings will unfold. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for electoral compliance standards in the region. Legal teams for both Bijay Baghel and Bhupesh Baghel are preparing for the upcoming sessions, setting the stage for a critical battle in the state's legal and political arena.