The Bombay High Court on Friday asked Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Sadanand Sarvankar to serve notice to respondents regarding his election petition challenging the victory of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Mahesh Sawant from the Mahim constituency. Sarvankar has alleged that Sawant misled voters by failing to disclose all pending criminal cases against him.
The court had earlier issued a summons to Sawant in response to Sarvankar’s petition. Justice Arif Doctor’s bench will further hear the matter on February 28.
Sarvankar, a seasoned politician, lost the Mahim Assembly seat in the 2024 state elections to Sawant, a political newcomer. Sawant secured 50,213 votes, while Sarvankar finished second with 48,897 votes. After the election, Sarvankar filed a petition alleging that Sawant had failed to disclose at least four to five criminal cases against him in his election affidavit. He argued that this non-disclosure is grounds for disqualification and the nullification of the election results.
Mahim was a key battleground in the 2024 Assembly elections, with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray’s son, Amit, also contesting. Amit, only the second Thackeray to enter electoral politics after his cousin Aaditya Thackeray, lost the election with 33,062 votes.
The contest also saw tensions among Mahayuti allies, as BJP leaders urged then-Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to ask Sarvankar to withdraw in favor of Amit Thackeray. Sarvankar refused, arguing that Amit had no winning chance. On the last day for withdrawing nominations, Sarvankar visited the Thackeray residence to persuade Amit to step aside, but the Thackerays reportedly refused to meet him.
The High Court has now directed Sarvankar to serve notices to all respondents within two weeks. The matter is scheduled for further hearing after three weeks.
