The Rajasthan High Court rejected an election petition challenging the victory of Independent Bayana MLA Ritu Banawat, citing insufficient grounds to annul the election results. Justice Sudesh Bansal imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on Banawat for evading court summons intentionally. The petition, filed by Purushottam Lal, accused Banawat of withholding accurate asset and liability information during the 2023 Assembly elections nomination process.
The court criticized Banawat for actively avoiding court summons and resorting to evasive tactics. Despite repeated failed attempts to serve the notice, the court managed to deliver it through the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Secretary. Banawat’s victory in the Bayana constituency, with over one lakh votes, was contested by Lal, who garnered 689 votes in the same election.
Senior Advocate R.N. Mathur, representing Banawat, argued that all necessary information had been disclosed as required by law. He defended the exclusion of a bank account specifically for election expenses, stating it was not mandatory. Mathur also justified that a homemaker could legitimately earn agricultural income, dismissing the allegations as baseless. After reviewing the arguments, the High Court dismissed the petition, deeming the alleged non-disclosures as minor and insufficient to nullify the election outcome.
The court emphasized that annulling an elected candidate’s victory over minor technicalities could undermine the democratic process significantly. Upholding Banawat’s election, the High Court instructed her to pay a fine of Rs one lakh for dodging court summons.
