Three petitions concerning recent bar association elections at Patiala House, Saket, and Rouse Avenue courts were filed in the Delhi High Court on Monday. The cases were mentioned before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela for urgent listing.
In the Patiala House bar election dispute, the petitioner’s counsel highlighted discrepancies between the number of eligible voters and votes cast, arguing that the election process required court intervention. The Court, however, noted that since the results had already been declared, the petitioner should pursue legal or statutory remedies. It also observed that bar association elections are governed by the Societies Registration Act and should ideally be resolved internally.
After deliberation, the Court allowed the matter to be listed, and it was briefly taken up by Justice Mini Pushkarna. As an interim measure, the judge ordered status quo to be maintained until Tuesday morning, pending further hearing.
Additionally, a petition was filed regarding the Saket Court bar election, seeking its cancellation due to alleged mismanagement. A candidate for the Secretary post requested the appointment of a retired High Court judge as an observer for fresh elections. The Chief Justice stated that an observer would only be considered once an election program is formally declared. The case is set for hearing on Wednesday.
Another petition related to the Rouse Avenue Court bar election, where vote counting was still ongoing despite some results being announced. The Court scheduled the matter for hearing on Tuesday.
