The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Atishi, the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly and former Chief Minister, in connection with an election petition challenging her victory from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency.
The petition was filed by Kamaljit Singh Duggal and Ayush Rana, both voters from Kalkaji, who have alleged corrupt practices during the assembly elections held in February 2025.
Justice Jyoti Singh, who heard the matter, directed Atishi to respond to the petition and also issued notices to:
- The Election Commission of India
- The Returning Officer
- Delhi Police
The court further instructed the authorities to preserve all records related to the elections. The case will be heard next on July 30, 2025.
Allegations Against Atishi
The petition accuses Atishi and her election agents of indulging in corrupt practices to influence the election outcome. The key allegations include:
Cash Distribution: A day before polling, Atishi’s close associates were allegedly caught with ₹5 lakh in cash in the Kalkaji constituency. The petition claims that the money was intended to buy votes or bribe voters.
Misinformation Against Rival Candidate: It has been alleged that AAP workers circulated false statements against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ramesh Bidhuri to influence public opinion.
Misuse of Public Resources: The petition also claims that Atishi, while serving as the Chief Minister, used government resources to further her electoral prospects.
More Into The Case
With the court taking cognizance of the matter, Atishi will now have to respond to the allegations. Court’s direction to preserve election records indicates that a detailed legal scrutiny of the election process is likely in the coming months.
The case will be closely watched as it could have significant political implications, given Atishi’s prominent position as Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly.
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