KSBC Polls: Karnataka High Court Directs State Bar Council To Place Remaining Malpractice Complaints Before Election Panel

Karnataka High Court on Monday (June 15) directed the Karnataka State Bar Council and the Returning Officer to forthwith place the remaining complainants alleging malpractices in elections to the Council, before the High-Powered Election Committee (HPEC). 

The court was hearing two writ petitions filed by contesting candidates, Smt. Sandhya U and Smt. Hema Kariyappa Gowda, appearing in person, alleging serious violations of the Bar Council of India (BCI) Code of Conduct during the elections held on March 11, 2026, for electing 23 members out of 149 candidates across the state.

During the hearing today Justice Suraj Govindraj orally said to the counsel for KSBC, "What about complaints 28 to 40? You have forwarded only until 27," directing that the remaining complaints be placed before the HPEC expeditiously in the next meeting.

For context, Additional Advocate General Kiran V. Ron filed an affidavit for the Coordinator of HPEC when the matter was taken up today. His submission stated that 29 complaints were received till June 3,  forwarded on various days by the Returning Officer, and the HPEC has passed orders on those complaints on different days.

The court was informed by AAG that some orders have been served on complainants while some are yet to be served, though arrangements are being made.

However, when the State's Bar Council filed a list of complaints received by the Returning Officer, there were 40 complaints as per the record. It was then that the court orally questioned the disparity in the number of complaints received by RO and the number of complaints forwarded to HPEC.

"We will place it before HPEC next week”, the counsel for the KSBC told the court. To which the court said, “...You should forward it, don't wait for a meeting…. Can't be doing like this”. 

When the petitioners sought further accommodation before the disposal of the matter, the court said, "…You decide wherever you want to go, we will give you liberty."

One of the petitioners then submitted that the election tribunal is also not functioning as of now. "I am remediless," she told the court.

To this, the court orally responded: “…Tribunal Members have been appointed by the Supreme Court, and Tribunal has been constituted by BCI. They will function after the results are declared."

The petitioner (candidate) requested that she may be accommodated. To which the court orally said, “We have only accommodated you till now madam, not them [Bar Council Authorities]… If you are aggrieved by HPEC order [for grievances before elections results are declared], go to the supervisory committee…If the Supervisory Committee doesn't do it, go to Supreme Court, not to High Court…".

After taking note of the party in person's submission, the court continued dictating the order:

"….Balance complaints will be placed before the HPEC in the next meeting. Learned counsel for BCI submits that complaints as soon as they are received are meant to be forwarded to HPEC. Respondent No. 3[State Bar Council] is directed to comply with the same forthwith… At the request of the party-in-person, the court lists the matter for tomorrow. [June 16]”

Context

The High Court had on June 12 asked the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) to submit total number of complaints alleging malpractices during elections to KSBC and the number of such complaints forwarded to High Powered Election Committee (HPEC) as well as the orders passed on such complaints.

The court had further sought information on such complaints where orders are yet to be passed by HPEC, which is part of the grievance redressal mechanism.

On June 10 the high court had directed that the declaration of results of the elections shall remain subject to the outcome of pending petitions and had sought BCI's stand on the hierarchy of grievance redressal mechanism. On that day, the court also afforded an opportunity to the Returning Officer and the concerned authorities like High Powered Election Committee, asking them to place on record the steps taken pursuant to the complaints received and the details about the number of such complaints received.

Case Title: Smt Sandhya U v. Returning Officer & Ors. and Hema Kariyappa Gowda v. The Chairman, HPEC & Ors

Case No: WP 15832/2026 & WP 15252/2026