Telangana HC dismisses PIL challenging MLA Kova Laxmi's 2023 election
The petitioner sought a direction to set aside the election of Kova Laxmi on the grounds that she had suppressed crucial information in her election affidavit
By Newsmeter Network Published on 25 Oct 2024 2:34 PM GMT
BRS MLA Kovva Laxmi (File Photo)
Hyderabad: In legal relief to the BRS MLA from Kumuram Bheem Asifabad Kova Laxmi, the Telangana High Court dismissed an election petition seeking direction to set aside the election of the MLA.
The petitioner accused the MLA of suppressing information regarding about five years of Income Tax returns before the returning officer during the 2023 State Assembly Elections.
The High Court Single Bench comprising Justice Kunuru Lakshman dismissed the election petition filed by Ajmeera Shyam, seeking a direction to set aside the election of Kova Laxmi to the Kumuram Bheem Asifabad Assembly Constituency (ST).
Ajmeera Shyam contested the 2023 Assembly elections on an Indian National Congress party ticket and lost to Kova Laxmi from the BRS party, who won with 82,705 votes whereas the petitioner Ajmeera Shyam got 59,629 votes.
The petitioner sought a direction to set aside the election of Kova Laxmi on the grounds that she had suppressed crucial information in her election affidavit.
Moreover, Kova Laxmi in form No 26 has furnished Income Tax returns for 2022-2023 (Rs 11,50,000) whereas the Election Commission of India had directed all the candidates contesting the said election to furnish I-T returns details for the last five years.
Kova Laxmi has also suppressed information on I-T returns for 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20 and 2018-19, which amounts to corrupt practice under Section 123(2) of the Representation of the Peoples Act, the plea said.
However, Justice Kunuru Lakshman declined to accept such a contention of the petitioner and dismissed the election petition.
