Election disputes must be decided within the statutory scheme

The case arose from an election petition under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The High Court declared the successful candidate’s election void. It also directed a six-year disqualification. The Supreme Court examined the legal source of that direction. Election consequences must be grounded in the powers conferred by statute. Sections 98 and 99 operate with the relevant disqualification provisions. A court must stay within its statutory jurisdiction. The judgment considered the legality of the operative directions. K.M. Shaji v. M. V. Nikesh Kumar & Ors. | 2026 INSC 111