The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notice in an election petition filed by an advocate challenging the election of Ghanshyam Singh, MLA from Datia.

The bench of Justice Amit Seth directed:

"Issue notice on I.A. No.10128/2026, as well as on the petition, to the respondents on payment of process fee within a period of seven working days through RAD as well as ordinary mode".

Per the petition, the Election Commission of India issued a press note on October 9, 2023, declaring the General Election of Legislative Assemblies. After the elections, Rajendra Bharti, a member of the National Congress, was elected and became an MLA on October 20, 2023. However, the said MLA was disqualified for conviction in a criminal case.

Thereafter, the ECI notified a by-election through a press note dated July 2, 2026, with the requirement that all candidates furnish an affidavit in Form 26. The petition stated that all the respondents submitted their nominations, including Singh, who filed his nomination on the 'ticket of INC'.

It is claimed that Singh failed to disclose complete information regarding his criminal antecedents. It was stated that a total of 4 criminal cases are either pending or disposed of against Singh, but that he disclosed only two cases.

It is stated that the disclosed cases were for voluntary causing hurt (Section 323), obscenity in public places (Section 294), and negligent/malicious act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life (Sections 269 and 270) of the IPC.

The alleged undisclosed cases are related to wrongful restraint (Section 341) and negligent/malicious act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life (Sections 269 and 270) of the IPC.

The petition further stated that in Singh's nomination papers under Form 26, he has disclosed that 99 lakhs were recovered from him by the competent Revenue Authority.

It was further stated that the ECI has clearly stated that the criminal antecedents of the candidates are required to be published in newspapers and television channels on three occasions during the campaign period.

Thus, the petition prayed that the election of Singh be declared void, and that respondent no. 2 Ashutosh Tiwari or any other suitable candidate be declared the duly elected candidate.

Per the Court website, the case is listed for December 1, 2026.

For Petitioner: Senior Advocate Jitendra Sharma with Advocates Ravi Choudhary and Manoj Upadhyay