Chandigarh Mayor polls: SC lashes out at Anil Masih for defacing ballots; here's the likely punishment he may face
Supreme Court today overturned the results of the Chandigarh mayor elections and declared AAP's Kuldeep Kumar as the new Mayor. The Court's decision came as a response to 'serious misconduct' by Presiding Officer Anil Masih, who had marked ballot papers, allegedly defaced, leading to the invalidation of eight votes. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud criticized Masih's actions, stating that he had acted beyond his authority. The Court ordered the results declared by Masih to be unlawful and set aside.
What may happen next to Anil Masih?
The Supreme Court has ordered perjury proceedings against Anil Masih, the Presiding Officer in the Chandigarh mayor election case. The Court's decision came after Masih allegedly defaced eight ballot papers during the polls.
The Court has directed the Registrar Judicial to issue a notice to Masih for and start contempt of court proceedings against the officer, Anil Masih due to the false statement made before the Court. Masih has been given three weeks to respond and explain in Punjab and Haryana High Court why perjury proceedings should not be initiated against him.
What are perjury proceedings and the punishment in court contempt cases?
The Supreme Court's decision to initiate perjury proceedings against Anil Masih is in accordance with Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). This section deals with the punishment for intentionally giving false evidence or fabricating false evidence in a judicial proceeding.
It states that whoever intentionally gives
