Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday granted time to Shinde-faction’s MLA Prakash Surve to file a reply to an Election Petition challenging his Assembly election victory in November 2024 alleging “corrupt practices”.
Surve’s election from Magathane constituency has been challenged by Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Udesh Patekar through Advocate Prashant Kulkarni. Surve won the election with 1,05,527 votes, while Patekar received only 47,363 votes.
According to the plea, during his election campaign on November 13, 2024, Surve held a meeting with voters from the Lohar Sutar community, where he openly promised a community hall for the 4,000-5,000 community members, if voted to power. He allegedly declared funds of Rs1 crore for the same.
Further, the plea alleged that on the night of November 2, 2024 (during the prohibited period under the Model Code of Conduct), Surve held a meeting in Dahisar (East) after 10 pm. Also, Patekar has alleged that Surve put up an independent candidate Rakesh Patekar against him to scuttle his prospects.
Information was received that on November 19, 2024, night that certain persons were distributing cash white envelopes to residents of the Devipada area at Surve’s behest. Justice Sandeep Marne granted time to Surve to file a reply and scheduled the matter for hearing on March 4.
