Supreme Court refuses to interfere with Chhattisgarh HC order on election plea against ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel

On August 7, 2026, the Supreme Court decided not to intervene with a Chhattisgarh High Court decision that prevented the dismissal of a petition challenging former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's election from the Patan assembly seat in 2023. However, the Supreme Court clarified that Baghel could present all his arguments before the High Court's election tribunal during the trial.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana dismissed Baghel's appeal against the interim order issued by the High Court on June 15. The bench affirmed that Baghel had a viable defense and emphasized that denying his challenge would not affect his ability to raise all claims and contentions before the election tribunal throughout the proceedings.

Baghel's legal team, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, contended that the election petition was not legally valid. Sibal, supported by lawyer Sumeer Sodhi, argued that the election campaign had concluded on November 15, and Baghel's alleged presence at a religious event on November 16 did not violate Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act.

While acknowledging the allegations, Sibal maintained that Section 126 constituted an electoral offense but not a corrupt practice under Section 123(7) of the Act. The core issue was whether Baghel's actions during the silence period violated Section 126 and the Model Code of Conduct, particularly a rally or road show that took place after the silence period began.