SC stays HC order
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 25 2018: The Supreme Court has stayed an order issued by the High Court of Manipur which rejected a miscellaneous case (election petition) filed by MLA RK Imo.

The miscellaneous case was filed challenging another election petition filed by Dr Khwairakpam Loken which sought annulment of the election of RK Imo from Sagolband AC in the 11th Manipur Legislative election.

A Single Bench of Justice Kh Nobin issued an order on December 13 last year which rejected the miscellaneous case filed by RK Imo but a Division Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachur stayed the High Court's order today.

Notably, INC's RK Imo defeated BJP Kh Loken by a margin of just 19 votes in the 11th State Assembly election held on March 4 last year.

Even though Dr Loken got 10 more votes than his Congress rival when votes registered in EVMs counted, RK Imo managed to win Sagolband seat as he got 19 more votes after the postal ballots were taken into account.

There were a total of 298 postal ballots.

While Dr Loken got 126 votes from amongst the postal ballots, RK Imo secured 155 votes.

Aggrieved by the process of counting votes, Dr Loken filed an election petition against his rival at the High Court of Manipur on April 24 last year.

Through the petition, Dr Loken challenged the validity of the election result and contended that he was the rightful winner of the election.

RK Imo responded by filing a counter petition which was listed as a miscellaneous case.

Based on a hearing held on November 8, the High Court rejected the miscellaneous case on December 13 last year.

Subsequently, RK Imo went to the Supreme Court and filed a special leave petition.

The Supreme Court heard the special leave petition today and stayed the High Court's order which rejected the miscellaneous case filed by RK Imo.

Comment