The Patna High Court has issued notices to 42 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Bihar following allegations of false information in their election affidavits and reported voting irregularities during the Assembly elections. Among those receiving notices is Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, representing the Gaya Assembly constituency. The notices stem from petitions filed by defeated candidates challenging the victory of the incumbent MLAs, citing election process irregularities and inaccuracies in the submitted affidavits.
Several prominent leaders from both ruling and opposition parties, including State Finance and Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, former Minister Jivesh Mishra, MLA Chetan Anand, and RJD MLA from Goh Amrendra Prasad, have been served notices. The petitioners allege that winning candidates failed to disclose complete asset details, educational qualifications, and birthdates in their affidavits. They claim that despite these discrepancies, the Election Commission of India permitted the candidates to run without thorough scrutiny, prompting defeated candidates to seek legal recourse in the High Court.
The situation has sparked political upheaval in Bihar, especially post the Bihar Assembly Election 2025, where the NDA secured a significant victory with 202 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. Notably, the NDA coalition includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Majority of the MLAs facing notices belong to the ruling alliance parties. The High Court is set to review the responses from the MLAs in the upcoming hearing, with all legislators instructed to provide documentary evidence validating their election to the Bihar Assembly.
