'Murder of Democracy': CJI rebukes Chandigarh Mayoral polls

The Supreme Court, in a severe rebuke, characterized the recent Chandigarh mayoral polls as a 'mockery and murder of democracy.' Chief Justice DY Chandrachud voiced strong concerns over potential tampering with ballot papers by the Presiding Officer, deeming it a serious offense against the democratic process. 

"Is this the way he conducts the elections? This is mockery of democracy. This is murder of democracy. This man should be prosecuted," Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud commented upon viewing the footage of the contentious election, where a BJP candidate was declared the victor following the disqualification of the votes of 8 candidates from the Congress-AAP coalition.

The bench, which included Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, was hearing a petition filed by AAP Councillor Kuldeep Kumar, the unsuccessful mayoral candidate, challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's decision not to postpone the election immediately.

Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the petitioner, argued that the Presiding Officer, affiliated with the BJP, intentionally spoiled eight ballot papers belonging to Congress-AAP councillors. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta countered, suggesting bias in the presented video footage and urging the court to consider the complete records before forming a conclusive opinion.