SC dismisses Nayagarh MLA Arun Sahoo’s plea, clears way for hearing of poll petition

Bhubaneswar: Trouble for Nayagarh MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo mounted after the Supreme Court dismissed his plea challenging the Orissa High Court’s order to proceed with a poll petition against his 2024 Assembly election victory. The apex court also directed the Orissa High Court to complete the hearing of the petition within six months.

The election petition was filed by BJP candidate Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh, who challenged Sahoo’s election from the Nayagarh Assembly constituency. She sought to have his election declared void, alleging that the Returning Officer had improperly accepted Sahoo’s nomination papers despite non-compliance with statutory provisions.

Earlier, the Orissa High Court had refused to dismiss the election petition without a detailed hearing. Challenging that decision, Sahoo had approached the Supreme Court seeking dismissal of the petition.

However, the Supreme Court rejected Sahoo’s appeal, allowing the election petition to continue before the High Court. The apex court further directed the High Court to dispose of the matter within six months.

Sahoo, a senior BJD leader, had secured his fifth consecutive victory from the Nayagarh Assembly constituency in the 2024 elections. He defeated Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh by a narrow margin of 439 votes.