In a first-of-its-kind step, the Supreme Court summoned Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and other election records for the Sarpanch post of Buana Lakhu village in Panipat, Haryana. It then conducted the recount of votes on its premises, which led to a reversal of the election result.
The recount was carried out by Supreme Court OSD (Registrar) Kaveri in the presence of both candidates and their lawyers. The entire process was recorded on video. “The Deputy Commissioner-cum-Election Officer, Panipat, is, accordingly, directed to issue a notification in this regard within two days declaring the appellant (Mohit Kumar) as the elected Sarpanch of the above-mentioned gram panchayat,” a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant said in its August 11 order.
The bench, which also included Justices Dipankar Datta and N Kotiswar Singh, further directed that Mohit Kumar could immediately take charge and perform his duties as Sarpanch.
The dispute dated back to the Sarpanch election held on November 2, 2022, in which Kuldeep Singh was declared the winner over Mohit Kumar. Mohit challenged the result before the Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division)-cum-Election Tribunal, Panipat. On April 22, 2025, the Tribunal ordered a recount of booth 69 votes by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Election Officer on May 7, 2025. The High Court set aside this order on July 1, 2025, prompting Mohit to move the Supreme Court.
"Taking into consideration the peculiar facts and circumstances of this 1 case, the Deputy Commissioner and the District Election Officer, Panipat, Haryana is directed to produce all EVMs before the Registrar of this Court, to be nominated by the Secretary General, at 10 am on 06.08.2025. The nominated Registrar shall recount the votes, not only of the disputed booth but of all the booths. The recounting shall be duly video-graphed. The petitioner as well as the respondent no.1 or their authorized agents shall remain present at the time of recounting," according to the top court’ July 31 order.
On August 6, 2025, OSD (Registrar) Kaveri recounted votes from booths 65 to 70. Out of a total of 3,767 votes, Mohit Kumar received 1,051, while Kuldeep Singh got 1,000.
“There being prima facie no reason to doubt the report submitted by the OSD (Registrar) of this court, especially when the entire recounting has been duly video-graphed and its result is signed by the representatives of the parties, we are satisfied that the appellant (Mohit Kumar) deserves to be declared as the elected Sarpanch of the gram panchayat, Buana Lakhu village, District Panipat, Haryana in the election held on 22.11.2022,” the top court said, setting aside the high court’s verdict.
However, the bench also clarified that either side could still raise any remaining issues before the Election Tribunal.
Also Read: SC rejects plea for re-election on 20 seats in Haryana
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