Karnataka High Court Allows KN Shanth Kumar's Plea To Contest Elections For President Of State Cricket Association

The Karnataka High Court on Saturday directed the Electoral Officer conducting the elections to the Karnataka State Cricket Association to declare KN Shanth Kumar as a valid candidate to contest the elections to the post of President.

It thus allowed Kumar's plea. 

 Justice Suraj Govindaraj said, “The writ petition is allowed. The order dated 24.11.2025 passed by respondent No.1 is quashed. A mandamus is issued directing respondent No.1 to declare the petitioner to be a valid candidate for the purpose of contesting the elections of Respondent No.2-Association. The elections are to be carried out as per the calendar of events, which has been fixed". 

Senior Advocate S S Naganand, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the payments, which were in arrears (Rs 200) were made on the morning of November 24, when the scrutiny of nomination was required to be carried out, and the electoral officer was also informed about the payment having been made. 

The counsel for respondent B. K Venkatesh Prasad, who is also contesting for the said post, had raised an issue of maintainability of the petition.

He said “If their claim is that they informed the electoral officer about the payment, then he would have recorded it in the order. The elections as directed by this court are being supervised by a former judge of the High Court.”

He also said, “A writ petition filed under Article 226 seeking prayers to declare the petitioner as a valid candidate is not maintainable and the election process cannot be stalled. The petitioner would have to file an election petition.”

Case Title: K N SHANTH KUMAR AND ELECTORAL OFFICER & Others

Case No: WP 35584/2025

Citation No 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 408

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