Citizens hail SC observations, say Masih should resign

“The presiding officer should immediately tender his resignation from the post of nominated councillor so that court proceedings are no way influenced," said Vinod Vashisht, author & publisher (taxation) and resident of Sector 22.

Written by Hina Rohtaki

Chandigarh | Updated: February 7, 2024 08:19 AM IST

3 min read

Nominated councillor Anil Masih. (ANI screengrab)

While hailing the Supreme Court’s observations wherein Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said that they will “not allow democracy to be murdered like this” and that the returning officer defaced the ballot papers, citizens demanded that Anil Masih should resign as nominated councillor “so that court proceedings are no way influenced”.

“Today’s apex court observations are very clear and sounding. The presiding officer should immediately tender his resignation from the post of nominated councillor so that court proceedings are no way influenced. Mayor re-poll under a senior most nominated councillor as a presiding officer along with a court appointed election observer seems to be a way forward,” said Vinod Vashisht, author & publisher (taxation) and resident of Sector 22.

“This was the mockery and murder of democracy and the Supreme Court has rightly deferred the ensuing meeting of Chandigarh MC which was scheduled for February 7. I feel the election result should be set aside as the same is a result of complete fraud and forgery laid upon the democratic process. Fresh elections should be conducted,” said Mohammad Sartaj Khan, advocate from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

B M Khanna, a resident of Sector 38, appreciated the Supreme Court’s version and called it a “victory of truth”.

“It’s a good decision taken by the Supreme Court in the public interest. It’s victory of the truth,” he said.

Suman Sharma, homemaker and resident of Sector 21, said, “Judiciary is still acting as last resort to seek justice for ordinary citizens. Proud of Indian judiciary!”

“Today’s court observation is a direct message to those who committed a foul play. It’s well appreciable step for safeguarding the interest of common voters,” said Jagdeep Singh Walia, retired principal and resident of Sector 48.

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BJP leader and former city BJP president Arun Sood said, “These are the observations of the Supreme Court. Neither the elections have been set aside nor the mayor’s post has been held invalid. The final order has not come till now. And the next hearing is on February 19 so only then will we be able to say something.”

Meeting deferred

The Municipal Corporation in an order passed on Monday evening stated that the general house meeting scheduled for February 7 is deferred.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express, Chandigarh. She covers Chandigarh administration and other cross beats. In this field for over a decade now, she has also received the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award by the President of India in January 2020. She tweets @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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chandigarh Punjab and Haryana High Court