4 July, 2025-The Bombay High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Congress leader Prafulla Vinodrao Gudadhe challenging the 2024 assembly election victory of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The plea alleged procedural lapses and corrupt practices during the elections held in the Nagpur South West constituency.
A single-judge bench of Justice Pravin Patil ruled that the allegations made by the petitioner lacked sufficient evidence and failed to meet the legal criteria under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to warrant the annulment of the election result.
Gudadhe, who lost to Fadnavis in the 2024 assembly polls, claimed that the BJP leader had misused government machinery, violated the Model Code of Conduct, and influenced voters through unfair means. He also pointed to irregularities in the nomination process and discrepancies in voter rolls.
However, the court found these accusations to be unsubstantiated. Justice Patil, in his judgment, noted that the petitioner failed to produce credible material to support the charges of corrupt practices or procedural violations. The bench emphasized that the integrity of the electoral process should not be questioned in the absence of concrete and convincing evidence.
The court stated, “An election result that reflects the will of the people should not be interfered with unless the allegations are proven beyond doubt. Mere allegations without proof cannot invalidate a democratic outcome.”
The verdict comes as a major relief for Devendra Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader and a key figure in the Maharashtra government. He welcomed the judgment and said it reaffirmed the public’s trust in the democratic process. “The truth has prevailed. This is not just a legal win but a victory for democracy and the people of Nagpur South West,” he said in a statement following the court’s decision.
Prafulla Gudadhe, expressing disappointment, stated that while he accepts the ruling, he will continue to fight for electoral transparency and fairness. “We respect the court’s decision but will consider legal options if necessary,” he said.
The 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections witnessed intense contests in several constituencies. Fadnavis secured his seat with a substantial margin, maintaining his political stronghold in Nagpur. The court’s decision is expected to further solidify his position in state politics.
The case adds to the list of post-election litigations filed across the country following the 2024 polls. However, courts have largely upheld the results, reiterating the credibility of the electoral process and the Election Commission’s role in conducting free and fair elections.
