Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Suresh Gopi, has approached the Supreme Court, contesting the Kerala High Court’s decision to allow an election petition that challenges his victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The case, titled Suresh Gopi Vs Binoy AS, stands pivotal in his political career.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, has issued a notice regarding the appeal and has sought a response from Binoy AS, a voter from Thrissur, who initiated the election petition. The appeal challenges the April 1 decision by Justice Kauser Edappagath of the Kerala High Court, which had deemed the petition maintainable, thus permitting it to advance to trial.
Binoy AS, an All India Youth Federation leader, accused Suresh Gopi and his associates of engaging in corrupt practices during the election, contravening Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The allegations include misuse of religious symbols for electoral appeal and promises of gifts, such as mobile phones, to win voter support. Furthermore, the petition references videos on social media purportedly showing Gopi offering monetary inducements to voters.
Another contentious point in the petition is the alleged conduct of a campaigner linked to Gopi, who reportedly urged voters to consider a Hindu deity while casting their votes, invoking religious symbols related to Lord Ram.
Gopi had earlier contested the validity of the election petition, seeking its dismissal at the preliminary stage. However, the Kerala High Court rejected these objections but did strike down the allegation concerning the distribution of shade umbrellas to vendors at a vegetable market, stating it did not constitute electoral malpractice.
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The High Court’s order read, “The corrupt practices alleged with regard to the distribution of shade umbrellas to the vendors at the vegetable market mentioned in para 16 of the election petition is struck off. The respondent shall face trial for the other corrupt practices alleged in the petition.”
Discontent with the High Court’s decision to proceed with the remaining allegations, Suresh Gopi has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the persistence of the election petition itself.
