Karnataka High Court Refuses To Stay Declaration Of State Bar Council Election Results

The Karnataka High Court on Monday [June 1] refused to stay the declaration of results of the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) Elections 2026, while hearing pleas by two contesting candidates who alleged widespread malpractices including cash bribes, pre-marked ballot papers, and bogus voting.

The single judge bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj, though initially inclined to dismiss both petitions after reserving the liberty to approach the Election Tribunals, later agreed to hear the petitioners further on June 10.

The bench sitting at Bengaluru initially observed that the court cannot interfere in election proceedings once the counting is ongoing.

Listing the matter next week, the court orally said:

“….Once counting is going on, we cannot interdict at that time….We are considering this matter after the elections ….If at all aggrieved by the process of election, the petitioner can initiate proceedings challenging the election before the appropriate forum..”

Sandhya U, an advocate and contesting candidate who appeared in person, had sought a direction for production of CCTV footage and soft copies of ballot papers. She alleged 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.

Similarly, Hema Kariyappa Gowda, another contesting candidate claimed that several candidates distributed cash bribes, gifts, and hosted unofficial parties to influence voters. She had also She claimed that cash was being distributed in polling booths itself.

Gowda submitted that she had filed complaints before the High-Powered Election Committee (HPEC) though it wasn't acted upon. Gowda had also sought an interim prayer to stay the declaration of results.

Advocate Chaitanya S G, appearing for Respondent No.3 [State Bar Council], undertook to appear for Respondent Nos.1[Returning Officer] and 2 [Chairman of High Powered Election Committee. Respondent Ano. 4 Bar Council of India informed the court that that it does not intend to file any statement of objections in the matter.

The counsel for the State Bar Council referred to an order dated May 18, 2026, in WP 589/2026, whereby two Election Tribunals have been constituted. One of the tribunals is headed by former Supreme Court Justice Deepak Gupta whereas the other Tribunal is headed by Justice Hima Kohli.

Initially, when the petition filed by Sandhya U was taken up, the court had also directed the respondents to preserve the CCTV footage from all polling booths for a period of four months from today.

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