The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday issued a summons to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in connection with a poll petition challenging his 2024 win from the Nagpur South West assembly seat. The petition was filed by Congress' Prafulla Vinodrao Gudadhe, who lost to Fadnavis by a margin of 39,710 votes. Gudadhe's plea alleges procedural lapses and corrupt practices, seeking to have Fadnavis' victory declared "null and void."
Gudadhe's lawyer, Pavan Dahat, told PTI that the bench of Justice Pravin Patil issued the summons, with a return date set for May 8. Gudadhe’s legal team, including Dahat and AB Moon, claimed several mandatory provisions were not followed during the November 2024 elections.
The Mahayuti alliance swept the assembly polls, securing 230 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, which led to Fadnavis becoming Chief Minister. In addition, the High Court issued summons to BJP MLA Mohan Mate from Nagpur West and Kirtikumar Bhangdia from Chimur in Chandrapur district in similar election petitions.