In Brief
The Supreme Court dismissed a petitioner's challenge to her disqualification as Councillor. The petitioner had been convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act in 2018 but failed to disclose this conviction in her nomination affidavit filed in September 2022, as mandated by electoral rules. The trial court and High Court found this non-disclosure breached statutory requirements and rendered her election void. The petitioner argued the offense was minor and lacked moral turpitude. The Supreme Court held that non-disclosure of any criminal conviction—regardless of severity—violates mandatory electoral law and suppresses information voters need to make informed choices. Once improper nomination acceptance is established, the election is automatically materially affected. No exceptional circumstances warranted special relief under Article 136. The petition was dismissed.
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