Supreme Court pulls up ECI over missing Karnataka 2023 vote-counting video
What Happened
The Supreme Court criticised the Election Commission of India after it said it could not trace the video recording of the 2023 vote count in Karnataka’s Sringeri constituency. The footage was sought by Congress MLA TD Rajegowda, whose 201-vote victory over BJP candidate DN Jeevaraj was overturned following a recount of postal ballots.
Key Takeaways
The Court directed the ECI to produce whatever records are available by the next hearing and warned that it could draw an adverse inference if the material is not produced. Rajegowda will continue as MLA under interim relief while his challenge remains pending. The next hearing is scheduled for February 15, 2027.