Somnath Bharti Challenges Bansuri Swaraj’s Election in Delhi High Court, Alleges Corruption

AAP leader Somnath Bharti has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj’s election, citing allegations of corrupt practices and exceeding expenditure limits.

Key Points

• Somnath Bharti has challenged Bansuri Swaraj’s election in the Delhi High Court.
• Allegations include corrupt practices and exceeding election expenditure limits.
• Bharti claims Swaraj’s booth agents used misleading pamphlets during the election.
• The plea also alleges that Swaraj’s expenses exceeded the permitted limit and were misrepresented.
• The role of BSP candidate Raaj Kumar Anand is questioned in Bharti’s petition.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti has moved the Delhi High Court, challenging the election of Bansuri Swaraj, the BJP MP from the New Delhi constituency, on grounds of alleged corrupt practices and election expenditure violations.

In his petition, Bharti claims that during the Lok Sabha election held on May 25, he observed Swaraj’s booth agents distributing pamphlets that displayed her ballot number, photograph, election symbol, and a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These pamphlets, Bharti alleges, were used to influence voters improperly. Despite reporting the issue to the returning officer, Bharti asserts that no action was taken.

Additionally, Bharti contends that Swaraj’s campaign expenses exceeded the permissible limit of ₹95 lakh per candidate. He claims that expenditures from Swaraj’s personal accounts were shifted to her party, BJP, in violation of the Representation of People Act, 1951.

The plea also raises concerns about the role of Raaj Kumar Anand, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate. Bharti alleges that Anand was “set up” by Swaraj’s party to support her candidacy. Anand, who was previously a Minister in the AAP government, had reportedly campaigned for Bharti until April 10, when he abruptly resigned. Anand’s resignation, according to Bharti, was due to pressure from investigative agencies like the ED, CBI, and IT, which he claimed were being used to coerce him.

Justice Manmeet P.S. Arora is scheduled to hear the plea on Monday, July 22. The case underscores the ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding the recent elections, as parties and candidates navigate complex allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities.