MP DK Aruna’s election win in Mahabubnagar seat challenged; HC reserves order
The petition was filed by Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy of the Congress Party, a resident of Padmavati Colony, Mahabubnagar
By - Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday reserved its orders in an election petition challenging the victory of BJP MP DK Aruna alias Arundhati from the Mahabubnagar Parliamentary Constituency.
The matter was heard by a Single Bench comprising Justice Alishetty Laxmi Narayana.
The petition was filed by Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy of the Congress Party, a resident of Padmavati Colony, Mahabubnagar, seeking that Aruna’s election be declared null and void under Section 100 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and that he be declared the duly elected candidate from the constituency.
‘Aruna influenced voters and failed to disclose criminal cases’
The petitioner alleged that Aruna violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by visiting an orphanage in Appannapally village on May 4, 2024, under the pretext of charity and birthday celebrations.
He contended that she distributed gifts to children, staff and voters present in the orphanage with the intention of influencing voters, which he claimed amounts to corrupt electoral practice.
He further alleged that the returning officer failed to disclose criminal cases pending against Aruna, and that discrepancies in her name — shown as DK Aruna in some places and DK Aruna Arundhati in others — amounted to misrepresentation, misleading voters during the election process.
Respondent’s defence
Appearing for Aruna, Advocate Pujari Srilekha argued that the allegations were vague, baseless and politically motivated. She pointed out that Aruna’s name is consistently reflected as DK Aruna Arundhati in her SSC certificate as well as the voters' list, and that no objections regarding her name were raised at the scrutiny stage.
Regarding the orphanage visit, Srilekha submitted that the petitioner relied solely on video evidence but failed to furnish the mandatory Section 65B certificate under the Indian Evidence Act, which is required to validate electronic records.
She also dismissed allegations concerning the occupation of an MLA quarter, stating that Aruna, during her tenure as MLA, had duly paid the rent and later handed over the premises to the authorities.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Alishetty Laxmi Narayana reserved the matter for orders.
