SC terms HC's ruling on Sircilla, Vemulawada by-polls improper

Questioning the validity of holding elections when an petition was pending, the Supreme Court on Friday faulted the High Court ruling on the by-elections to Sircilla and Vemulawada Assembly constituencies in the Telangana region.

The Apex Court, apart from holding the High Court ruling on the by-election improper, sought an explanation from the State Election Commissioner for conducting elections in Sircilla and Vemulawada even as a petition challenging election of the winning candidate was pending in a Court.

When the Election Commission stated that the elections were already completed in the constituencies, the Supreme Court adjourned its ruling to Wednesday stating that Section 151-A of People’s Representation Act was not applicable when an election petition was pending before a Court of Law.

A petition was filed in the High Court challenging the validity of the Election Notification when the Election Commission issued notification for conduct of by-elections in 10 constituencies excluding Sircilla and Vemulawada,.

As the High Court gave a green signal to EC to hold elections in the two remaining constituencies, by-elections were held in Sircilla and Vemulawada, along with the 10 other constituencies.

Chennamaneni Ramesh and K T Rama Rao of TRS were elected from Vemulawada from Sircilla seats respectively.

The Supreme Court’s observation has now put a question mark on the fate of these two candidates.