Hisar: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has delivered a significant ruling in the ongoing election dispute involving Brijendra Singh, former IAS officer and ex-Congress MP from Hisar, and Devender Chattar Bhuj Attri, BJP MLA from the Uchana Assembly constituency in Jind district. The court rejected Attri’s plea demanding the dismissal of Singh’s amended election petition, allowing the case to move forward.
Background of the Election Dispute
The legal tussle stems from the fiercely contested October 2024 assembly elections in Haryana, where Brijendra Singh lost to Devender Attri by a narrow margin of just 32 votes. Postal ballots played a crucial role in the election outcome, with a total of 1,377 postal votes received. Of these, 215 postal ballots were declared invalid by the Returning Officer (RO), while 1,158 votes were deemed valid and counted. Singh secured 636 votes out of the valid postal ballots.
Brijendra Singh’s Amended Election Petition
In his amended petition, Brijendra Singh has narrowed his focus solely to the issue of the 215 rejected postal ballots, stating he would not press any other claims related to the election dispute. The High Court permitted Singh to amend his plea accordingly, aiming to address the core issue of whether the rejection of these votes was justified.
Court’s Decision and Next Steps
The plea filed by BJP MLA Devender Attri seeking dismissal of Singh’s amended petition was challenged in court but was ultimately rejected by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This development means the case will proceed, with the court scheduled to hear arguments specifically concerning the validity of the rejected postal ballots on September 23, 2025.
Significance of the Case
This case highlights the critical role postal votes can play in tightly contested elections and underscores the importance of ensuring the fairness and transparency of electoral processes. The court’s decision to allow the amended petition to move forward signals judicial scrutiny into election procedures and ballot validity.
