PATLOLA KARTHIK REDDY Vs. ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mr. Mukul Rohatgi, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Ms. Malak Bhatt, Ms. Samridhi, Ms. Ananya Kanoria and Ms. Neeha Nagpal, learned counsel, appears for Mr. Bhakti B.Turakhia, learned counsel for the petitioner. Mr. Avinash Desai, learned Senior Counsel appears for Mr. Mohammed Omer Farooq, learned counsel for respondent No.1- Election Commission of India.

(2.) In this writ petition, the petitioner has assailed the validity of a press note dtd. 4/1/2024, issued by the Election Commission of India for conducting bye-elections to two seats in the Telangana State Legislative Council.

(3.) Facts, as can be culled out from the averments made in the writ petition, are that the petitioner is a National Spokesperson of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). On 9/12/2023, Sri Kadiyam Srihari and Sri Padi Kowshik Reddy resigned from their respective seats in Telangana Legislative Council. Thereupon, two casual vacancies occurred in the Telangana Legislative Council. A press note has been issued on 4/1/2024 by the Election Commission of India notifying the schedule for holding separate bye-elections to the Legislative Council of Telangana by the members of Legislative Assembly.