The Patna High Court has issued notices to 42 MLAs seeking their responses over allegations of vote theft and false information in election affidavits during the Bihar Assembly elections 2025.
Among the prominent leaders named in the petitions are Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, Energy Minister Vijendra Yadav, former minister Jivesh Mishra, MLA Chetan Anand, and RJD MLA Amarendra Prasad, among others.
The petitions were filed by defeated Opposition candidates who alleged that the winning candidates had concealed or misrepresented information regarding their assets, criminal records, and other key details in their election nomination affidavits.
They also accused the NDA leaders of purchasing votes by giving Rs10,000 to voters, in the name of women empowerment.
After a preliminary hearing, the court deemed the matter serious and sought responses from all concerned MLAs.
During the hearing, the court clarified that the election affidavit is an important document in the democratic process. Voters have the right to accurate information about a candidate’s assets, background, and legal cases. Concealing or misrepresenting such information could be considered a serious violation.
BJP MLA Jivesh Mishra said that any questions raised by the court would be answered in court.
Congress MLA Abhishek Ranjan remarked that if someone believes wrongdoing has occurred, approaching the court is appropriate, and they will follow whatever legal process and order the court issues.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra stated that challenging election results in court is a democratic right. He said that candidates who lose elections have every right to seek judicial recourse and often do so. He added that the matter is now sub-judice, and the final decision rests with the court.
He described such petitions as a normal part of the democratic process, emphasising that courts decide cases based on facts.