Kerala High Court dismisses petition challenging BJP MP Suresh Gopi’s election

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging Bharatiya Janata Party MP Suresh Gopi’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Thrissur, reported Bar and Bench.

The petition was filed by Joshi Villadom who had contested the 2024 elections as an Independent candidate.

Villadom had accused Gopi of engaging in corrupt practices during the election, including bribery, promoting enmity between different groups and using religious appeals to solicit votes, reported Bar and Bench.

Another election petition against Gopi is pending before the High Court.

On April 1, the court held as maintainable a petition filed by Binoy AS, an All India Youth Federation leader and a voter from Thrissur.

He sought that the actor-turned-politician’s election be declared void under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Like Villadom, Binoy AS also alleged that Gopi, his election agent and associates engaged in corrupt practices, including invoking religious sentiments, using religious imagery in campaign material and promising monetary or other benefits to influence voters.

The petition contained references to campaign materials, including flex boards depicting Gopi alongside images of Hindu deities Krishna and Radha as well as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, along with messaging invoking religious appeals.

It also included claims that BJP leaders, in speeches, urged voters to make electoral choices based on religious considerations.

Justice Kauser Edappagath had rejected Gopi’s preliminary...

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