Holding

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s finding that the appellant committed corrupt practice under Section 123(3) (and consequently under Section 123(5)) and dismissed the appeals, leaving the election set aside.

Summary

In the 2004 Lok Sabha election for Muvattupuzha, P.C. Thomas was declared elected by a narrow margin. The election petitioner, P.M. Ismail, challenged the result alleging that Thomas had committed corrupt practices under Sections 123(3) and 123(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by printing and circulating a notice and photo‑calendar that appealed to Christian/Catholic voters on religious grounds and by providing free transport to voters. The High Court held that the evidence proved the corrupt practices, set aside Thomas's election and declared the petitioner elected under Section 101(b). On appeal, the Supreme Court affirmed the High Court’s findings, reiterating that a charge of corrupt practice is akin to a criminal charge and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt, and dismissed the appeals. A second appeal seeking declaration of the appellant as elected was dismissed as infructuous because a fresh election had already been held.

Issues considered

The appellant committed corrupt practice under Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by printing and distributing a notice and calendar appealing to voters on religious grounds.
The appellant committed corrupt practice under Section 123(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by providing free conveyance to voters.
Whether the election of the appellant should be set aside and the petitioner declared elected under Section 101(b).
Whether the second appeal is infructuous due to the conduct of a fresh election.

Legislation cited

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908s. Order XIII Rule 4
Indian Evidence Act, 1872s. 3
Representation of the People Act, 1951s. 100(1)(b), s. 101(b), s. 123(3), s. 123(5)

Subjects

Election petitionCorrupt practiceRepresentation of the People ActProof beyond reasonable doubtReligious appealFree transport to votersElection voidAppellate jurisdiction

Judgment

[2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R. 125
·-
., P.C. THOMAS A
v.
P.M. ISMAIL & ORS.
(Civil Appeal No. 5033 of 2006 etc.)
SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
B
[D.K. JAIN AND R.M. LODHA, JJ.]

)
Representation of the People Act, 1951:

ss. 123(3) and (5); 100(1)(b) - Election petition -Alleging c
Corrupt practice by printing and publishing, distributing and
circulating by himself, his election agents and workers, notice
and calender - High Court setting aside the election holding
the allegation proved - On appeal, held: The conduct of the
~
returned candidate amounted to corrupt practice - Case D
proved by witnesses.

s. 101(b) - Claim of election petitioner and another
candidate of the election, to be declared elected, on setting
aside of election of returned candidate - Held: Election in the
constituency in question having already been conducted, E
case becomes infructuous.
'f

Election Laws - Charge of corrupt practice - Nature,
standard of proof and onus to prove - Held: Such charge
under Representation of People Act to be equated with F
... criminal charge - Standard of proof thereof is proof beyond
reasonable doubt - The onus lies on the election petitioner
- Representation of the People Act, 1950 - Evidence -
Standard of proof - Onus to prove.

Appeal - First appellate court - Power of- To intetfere G
with order of trial court - Held: Supreme Court as a first
-appellate court should not interfere with the finding of fact
unless there are compelling reasons to do so.
....
125 H
126 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.
-
t·
A Election of the appellant to Lok Sabha was
challenged by the respondent No.1-election petitioner
(the candidate who had got second highest number of
votes). It was interalia alleged that appellant had
committed corrupt practices as enumerated u/ss. 123(3)
B and 123(5) of Representation of the People Act, 1951, and
therefore his election was liable to be declared void u/s
100(1)(b) of the Act. He also prayed that he should be
{
declared elected in terms of s.101(b) of the Act.

High Court sustained the maintainability of the
c Election Petition on the grounds of corrupt practice
falling u/ss. 123(3) and 123(5) of the Act. Electi.on of the
appellant was set aside. Hence the Civil Appeal No. 5033
of 2006.
!"

D Civil Appeal No. 5777 of 2006 was ·preferred by·
second respondent therein. He claimed that he having
got higher number of votes in the said election, on the
election of returned candidate having been set aside,
should have been declared as elected, instead of the
·E election petitioner in Civil Appeal No. 5033 of 2006 .

Dismissing the appeals, the Court

HELD:

F Civil Appeal No. 5033 of 2006:
1. A charge of corrupt practice envisaged by
Representation of the People Act, 1951, is to be equated
with a criminal charge and the standard of proof thereof
would not be preponderance of probabilities as in a civil
G action but proof beyond reasonable doubt as in a criminal
trial. If this test is not applied, a very serious prejudice is •
likely to be caused to the successful candidate whose
election would not only be set aside, he may also incur
·disqualification to contest an election for a certain period
H
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. 127

1 entailing even extinction of his political-career. The onus A
lies heavily on the election petitioner to make out a strong
case for setting aside an election. [Para 10] [138-A-C]

Ch. Razik Ram vs. Ch. Jaswant Singh Chauhan and Ors.
1975 (4) SCC 769; Jeet Mohinder Singh vs. Harminder Singh . B
Jassi 1999 (9) SCC 386; Surinder Singh vs. Hardial Singh
and Ors. 1985 (1) sec 91, relied on.
2.1. The High Court was satisfied that notice (Ext.P1)
and calenda~ (Ext.P2) were distributed by workers of the
appellant. Applying the test of common man's C
understanding and the effect of the said documents on
the mind and feelings of an ordinary average voter, the
court agrees with the High Court that the said notice/
statement (Ext.P1) did constitute an appeal to the
members of the Christian community, particularly, the D
Catholics to seek their votes for the appellant, being a
Catholic, on the ground of religion, caste and community.
Calendar (Ext.P2}, does not per se fall within the mischief
of Section 123(3) of the Act but taken along with Exhibit
P1 does serve as a statement to strengthen the appeal E
in notice (Ext.P1). The circulation of the said exhibits
' amounted to violation of Section 123(3) of the Act. [Para
18] [147-B-D]

2.2. The notice (Ext. P1) does contain a message or
an appeal on religious grounds to the Christians/ F
Catholics to vote for him for the benefit of the larger
interests of the Christians, particularly the Roman

"· . Catholics. Indeed, the community members all over
understood it as such. This is borne out from the
testimony of Pws.-2, PW-6, PW-7, PW-8, PW-9, etc., etc.
who all deposed about the party workers of IFDP, to
which party the appellant belonged to, giving notice
G

(Ext.P1) and calendar (Ext.P2) to each one of them as a
statement by a known leader of Catholics. The consent
H
128 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R. \

A of the appellant for distribution of the exhibits P1 and P2
..
among the Catholic voters, though not directly proved,
was rightly inferred from the fact that his agent who got
these printed, paid charges and circulated these. [Para
17 and 18) [146-D-G]
B
2.3. To bring the appea-1 within the ambit of Section
123(3) of the Act, it required proof that as per specific
pleas in the Election Petition, documents Ext.P1 and
Ext.P2 were got printed and published by the appellant ' I

through his election agent, and distributed by the agents
c or workers/campaigners as alleged. The election
petitioner claimed to have no personal knowledge about
it and stated that the information about it was supplied
to him by the jeep driver, PW-4 and PW-19 who deposed ~
having supplied the said information to the election
D petitioner before filing of the election petition.· [Para 19)
[147-D-G]

2.4. Three witnesses were produced by the election
petitioner in support of his pleas regarding printing and
E distribution of Exts. P1 and P2. Viz., PW-4 driver of the
jeep; PW-5, claiming to have been temporarily employed
for a month at the Press to meet the election rush of work; ' ,,. \

and PW-6. To counter the evidence of PW-4, PW-5 and
PW-6, the appellant produced RW-9, the owner of jeep,
F RW-6, owner of the Press and RW-11. The High Court in
its judgment under appeal for reasons stated discredited
the testimony of RW-9, RW-6 and believed the testimony
of PW-4, PW-5 and PW-6. While dealing with the
statement of RW-9, the High Court has recorded that his
answers to the questions were generally evasive and his
G
evidence untrustworthy. Nothing was pointed out against
these observations. His testimony carries little conviction
•
as against that-of PW-4. [Paras 20, 21, 22 and 23] [147-G-
H; 148-A-E; 149-C-D]
.,
H 2.5. RW-11, the chief election agent of the appellant,
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. 129

i In his proof affidavit, denied the allegation made by PWs- A
41 5 and 6 and the part allegedly attributed to him by PW-
5 about the placing of a printing order of Exts.P1 and P2
with the Press and taking delivery of the printed material.
According to him, there was no meeting at the alleged
time, as on that date and time, he was in the District B
Collector's office where scrutiny of nomination papers of
the appellant was held. In cross-examination, he stated
._)
that his attendance in proceedings for scrutiny of papers
is a matter reflected in court records. No evidence about
it was produced in support. [Para 24] [150-8-E] c
2.6. There is no ground to differ with the findings
recorded by the High Court that the appellant has
committed corrupt practice as contemplated u/s. 123(3)
• of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by printing
D
and publishing Annexure I notice and Annexure II photo
calendar and distributing and circulating Annexure I
along with Annexure II by himself, his election agent and
other agents, his election workers and campaigners with
his consent and connivance. [Paras 5 and 24] [133-8-C;
150-G] E
1
Hem Raj vs. Ramji Lal and Anr. 1975 (4) SCC 671,
distinguished.

Ch. Razik Ram vs. Ch. Jaswant Singh 1975 (4) SCC 769,
F
held inapplicable.

S. Harcharan Singh vs. S. Sajjan Singh and Ors. 1985
(1) sec 370, referred to.

3. There is no question of drawing an adverse G
inference against the election petitioner for not examining
the author of Exbt P-1 as a witness, particularly when the
printing and circulation of offending material (Exts.P1 and
P2) has been ~roved by the election petitioner beyond
H
130 SUPREfyiE COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.

A reasonable doubt. [Para 26] [152-C-D]

4. Although being the Court of first appeal, this Court
has no inhibition in reversing such a finding. Of fact or
law, which has been recorded on a misreading or wrong
appreciation of the evidence of the law but ordinarily the
8
appellate court attaches great value to the opinion formed
by the Trial judge, more so when the Trial Judge happens
to be a High Court Judge; had recorded the evidence
and had the benefit of watching the demeanour of
C witnesses in forming first hand opinion of them in the
process of evaluation of evidence. This Court should not
interfere with the findings of fact recorded by the trial
court unless there are compelling reasons to do so. The
High Court has not committed any grave error in the
appreciation and assessment of the evidenr.e on the
D point. On consideration of the evidence in its totality,
adduced by the election petitioner and the appellant, the J
court agrees with the High Court. that the election j

petitioner has adduced cogent, satisfactory and reliable ;..
'
evidence to establish the charge against the appellant u/
E s. 123(3) of the Act. [Paras 28 and 29] [153-0-H; 154-A)

Gajanan Krishnaji Bapat vs. Dattaji Raghobaji Meghe
1995 (5) sec 347, relied on.

F Civil Appeal No. 5777 of 2006:

5. Fresh election to the said parliamentary
constituency having already taken place in this year, this 1
appeal is rendered infnfotuous and has to be dismissed
on that ground; [Para 33] [154-F-G]
G
Case Law Reference: ..
1975 (4) sec 769 Relied on. Para 11
held inapplica~le. Para 27
H
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. 131

1
1999 (9) sec 386 Relied on. Para 12 A
"""'!'.
1985 (1) sec 91 Relied on. Para 13
1975 (4) sec 671 Distinguished. Para 26
1985 (1) sec 370 Referred to. Para 27
B
1995 (5) sec 347 Relied on . Para 28
.
CIVIL AP PELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No.
5033 Of 2006.

From the Judgment & Order dated 31.10.2006 of the High c
Court of Kerala at Ernakulam in Election Petition No. 1 of 2004.
r
WITH
~
., .
Civil Appeal No. 5777 of 2006. D
T.L.V. Iyer and P.S. Narasimha, Ashok Mathur, Raju
Joseph, Anshul Naryana, M.T. George, R. Basanth, P.S.
Sudheer, Sindhu T.P., John Mathew, Pradyot Kumar
Chakravarty for the appearing parties.
E
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
~
;'
D.K. JAIN, J. 1. This appeal under Section 116A of the
Representation of People Act, 1951 (for short 'the Act') is
directed against the judgment and order dated 31st October,
F
2006 rendered by the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam in
Election Petition No.1 of 2004, setting aside the election of the
appellant to the House of People (Lok Sabha) from 12 H.P.
Muvattupuzha Parliamentary Constituency.

2. Election to the said Parliamentary Constituency was G
t-
held on 10th May, 2004 and the result was declared on 13th
May, 2004. The appellant, who was the first respondent in the
Election Petition, was the candidate from the Indian Federal
Democratic Party ('IFDP' for short), a constituent of the National
H
132 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.

A Democratic Alliance. He was declared.elected by a margin of
529 votes. over the first respondent (hereinafter referred to ~s
the 'election petitioner'), who got the second· highest number
. ~.
,.•,

of votes. The election petitioner was the candidate from the.
Communist Party of India (Marxist), a constituent of the Left
B Democratic Front (for short 'LDF'). While the appellant secured .
2,56;411 votes, the election petitioner got 2,55,882 votes. The ·
second respondent in the election petition, who had contested
-':4
the election as a candidate of the Kerala Congress (M), a
constituent of the United Democratic Front ('UDF' for short),
c secured 2,09,880 votes. The other 13 contestants got an
insignificant number of votes.

3. The election of the appellant was challenged by the
.....
election petitioner on the ground that the appellant had
committed corrupt practices as enumerated under Sections
D 123(3) and 123(5) of the Act and, therefore, his election was
.~ "":.
, (•
~~

liable to be declared void under Section 100(1)(b} of the Act.
The consequent relief prayed for in ;the Election Petition was
for declaring the election petitioner as elected in terms of
Section 101(b) of the Act.
E
4. The allegations in the Election Petition were denied by
the appellant. In the first instance, as a preliminary objection, __(r '
the appellant questioned the maintainability of the Election •\,
Petition. Rejecting the objection, the High Court, vide its order
F dated 28th February, 2005 sustained the maintainability of the
Election Petition only on two grounds of corrupt practice, viz.
one falling under Section 123(3) of the Act and ihe other under
Section 123(5) of the Act. While the election petitioner himself
gave up the grounds pertaining to allegation of excess election
expenditure incurred by the appellant over the maximum limit
G
· provided under Section 77 of the Act and the allegation of
-~
undue influence under Section 123(2) of the Act arising out of
a speech made by the then President of the Bharatiya Janta
Party, the High Court rejected the ground pertaining to the

H
.,
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M, ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 133
.
J allegation of .bribery in the form of gratification offered by the A
appellant to one of the contestants in order to get his
candidature withdrawn from this election.

5. Upon consideration of the pleadings and taking note of
abandonment of the afore-noted allegations by the election B
petitioner, the learned Judge framed the following issues:

~~
1. Whether the 1st respondent has committed corrupt
practice as contemplated under Section 123(3) of the
Representation of the People Act, 1951 by printing and
publishing Annexure I notice and Annexure II photo c
· calendar and distributing and circulating Annexure I along
with Annexure II by himself, his election agent and other
· agents, his. election workers and campaigners with the
) consent and connivance of the 1st respondent in various
.,/
places of No.12 H.P. Muvattupuzha Parliamentary D
Constituency for the election held on 10.5.2004.

2. Whether the 1st respondent, his election agent and other
agents with the consent of the 1st respondent, had
·committed corrupt practice contemplated under Section E
123(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by
t hiring and procuring vehicles, viz., autorickshaw Nos. KL-
514400, KL-5/C 3431 and Jeep Nos. KRO 6606 and KL-
5/1845 for free conveyance of the electors to and from the
polling station Nos .. 57 to 71 in Poonjar Thekkekara
F
Panchayat in Poonjar Assembly Constituency of No. 2
Muvattupuzha Parliamentary Constituency for the election
·held on 10.5.2004.

3. Whether the election of the 1st respondent from No. 12
H.P. Muvattupuzha Parliamentary Constituency can be G
.)·'

.v declared as void by the conduct of corrupt practices
enumerated in issue Nos.1 and 2 and is it liable to be set
aside.

4. Whether the petitioner has to be declared as duly
H
134 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.
I"-

A elected from No.12 H.P. Muvattupuzha Parliamentary
.)._
Constituency after setting aside the election of the 1st
respondent. ..
5. Whether the election petitioner is entitled to get the cost
of his election petition.
B
6.. On behalf of the election petitioner, twenty five
witnesses, including himself were examined. Alleged public
-4
notice dated 21st April, 2004 and photo-calendar, filed as
Annexures I and II respectively with the election petition,· were
c exhibited through election petitioner as Ext.P1 ·and P2
respectively. On the side of the appellant, eleven witnesses,
including himself were examined and Ext. R1(a) to R1(g) were
marked.·

D 7. Analysing the evidence adduced by the parties on the ~
issues, except for issue No.5, the High Court answered all the
issues in favour of the election petitioner. Thus, costs of the
election petition; were not awarded. It has been observed by
the High Court that in the instant case, even though consent of~
the appellant herein for printing Ext.P1 and P2 is not proved
E
by direct evidence but from proven facts, namely, the election
agent of the appellant, Advocate James Anakallungal,
.}
(hereinafter referred to as 'James'), arranging for printing of.
Ext. P1 & P2; the appellant paying the printing charges and the
party workers distributing these documents in the houses of
F electors, who are Catholics, the only inference possible is that
the circulation of printed copies of Exts.P1 & P2 was with the
knowledge of the appellant. Inter a/ia, observing that_ while
Ext.P1 independently constitutes an appeal to the Catholic
voters to vote for the appellant on the ground of his religion
G attracting the mischief of Section 123(3) of the Act, Ext.P2
supports and strengthens Ext.P1, the learned Judge held that '
--).
the appellant has committed corrupt practice under Section
123(3) of the Act by appealing to the electors to vote on the
ground of his community and religion through the printing and
H circulation of Exts.P1 and P2 aniong the electors.
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 135

J-- Consequently, his election was liable to be declared void under A
-1 Section 100(1)(b) of the Act. On the second issue also, the
High Court has observed that though no direct evidence is
produced to prove the consent given by the appellant or his
election agent to his party workers to arrange the vehicles and
even the witnesses have not specifically stated that the vehicles B'
were provided to them free of charge, yet in view of the
evidence of the witnesses that party workers of the appellant
&. had offered vehicles to them, the only possible inference could
be that the witnesses were provided vehicles free of charge
resulting in violation of Section 123(5) of the Act. Having found c
.. issues No.1 to 3 against the appellant, the High Court came to
the conclusion that but for the corrupt practices, proved to have
been practiced by the appellant, the election petitioner would
have got at least 265 more of the votes polled in favour ·of the
..,.'
A appellant, in which case, he would have won the election.
D
Accordingly, exercising power conferr~d on it under Section
100(1)(b) of the Act, the High Court declared the election of the
appellant, the returned candidate, to the said Parliamentary
Constituency, to be void and the election petitioner was
declared elected under Section 101(b) of the Act in his place
from the said Constituency. The High Court further ordered that E
the findings of commission of corrupt practices by the appellant
~....
under Sections 123(3) and 123(5) of the Act will hold good for
the purpose of Section 99 of the Act as well. Aggrieved by the
said decision, the appellant has come up in appeal before us.
F
8. Assailing the findings of the High Court, Mr. F.S.
Nariman, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the
appellant, strenuously urged that the conclusion of the High
Court to the effect that the appellant had committed corrupt
practices as envisaged under sub-sections (3) and (5) of G
I Section 123 of the Act are palpably erroneous, inasmuch as:
4-
(i) it was· neither the case of the election petitioner, nor any
specific plea was raised in the election petition, that the
appellant had appealed to the electors to vote for him on the
ground of his community or religion by distribution of printed H
136 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.

A offending materials viz. a notice/statement dated 21st April,
2004 (Ext.P1) and a photo calendar for the year 2004 (Ext.P2);
(ii).both the offending documents (Ext.P1 and Ext.P2) were not
proved as per the prescribed procedure and, therefore, the very
basis in forming the opinion that the appellant had committed
B corrupt practice was missing; (iii) having. held that
independently Ext.P2 did not constitute an appeal to vote on
the ground of religion of the appellant and that the said exhibit
had to be read collectively with Ext.P1, alleged to be a notice
purportedly authored and printed by one John Kachiramattom
c (hereinafter referred to as 'John K.'), which had been circulated
along with Ext.P2, and the circulation of both amongst the
electors together constituted an appeal to vote for the appellant
on the ground of his religion, the learned Judg~/ has failed to
appreciate that none of the witnesses examined by the election
I.
petitioner had stated that John K. had acknowledged or stated t:
0
to them that he had, in fact, prepared and signed the said
notice/statement for circulation; (iv) though John K. was cited
as one of the witnesses by the election petitioner in the list ·
submitted by him, he was not called by the election petitioner
for recording of his evidence; (v) the inferences drawn by the
E · learned Judge were based on unproven documents, even·
source whereof had not been proved; and (vi) the finding of the
High Court to the effect that appellant had committed corrupt
practice under Section 123(5) of the Act was based only on
inferences drawn from the statements made by interested
F witnesses when none of the witnesses had stated that the
vehicles were provided free of charge. To buttress his argument
that an adverse inference should have been drawn against the
election petitioner for not examining John K.,· 1earned counsel
placed reliance on the decisions of .this Court in Hem Raj vs.
G _Ramji Lal & Anr1., Thakur Sen Negi vs. Dev Raj Negi & Anf.,
Virendra Kumar Saklecha vs. Jagjiwan & Ors~.; Jeet Mohinder

1. (1975) 4 sec s11.
2. (1993) Supp. 3 sec 645.
H 3. (1972) 1 sec a26.
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. !SMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.], 137

Singh vs. Harmindet 'Singh Jassi4 and Kanhaiyalal vs. A
Manna/al & Ors. 5 Reliance was also placed on the decisions
of this Court in Ram Chand Bhatia vs. Shri Hardyaf5, Ch. Razik
Ram vs. Ch. Jaswant Singh Chauhan & Ors7 ., Surinder Singh
vs. Hardial Singh & Ors8 ~, · Mercykutty Amma vs. Kadavoor
Sivadasan & An~., and a number of other decisions iri which '8
the dictum in Ch. Razik Ram (supra) was followed in support
of the proposition that the standard of proof in an: election
petition is the same as in a criminal trial, which the election
petitioner failed to discharge.

9. Mr. P .S. Narasimha, learned senior counsel appearing C
for the election petitioner, on the other hand, supporting the·
decision of the High Court, submitted1that upon productiqn of
originals of pamphlet and the calendar by PW.1, they were
marked as Exts.P1 and P2 respectively and duly endorsed by
the Court trying the election petition, therefore, the documents . 0
stood proved. In support of the plea that once a document has .
been admitted in evidence and marked a$ .a:ll:; ~~f:libit, the ·
objection that it should not have been admitted in.evidence or
that the mode adopted for proving the document was irregular,
cannot be allowed to be raised at any stage subsequent to the . E ,·.
marking of the document as exhibit, reliance was placed on the
decisions of this Court in R. V.E. Venkatachala Gounder vs,
Arulmigu Viswesaraswami & V.P. Temple & Anr10 ., Dayamathi
Bai (Smt) vs. K.M. Shaffl11 and P.C. Purushothama Reddiar
vs. S. Peruma/1 2• Other pleas raised were also countered by F
4. (1999) 9 sec 826.
5. (1976) 3 sec 386.
s. (1986) 2 sec 121.
7. (1975) 4 sec 769.
G
s. (1985) 1 sec 91.
e. c2004) 2 sec 217.
10. c2003) s sec 752.
11. (2004) 7 sec 107.
12. (1972) 1 sec 9. . . ,. .,,·:H .
138 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.
~
A the learned counsel. ,:,_

· 10. Before we proceed to examine the facts of the case
to consider the question as to whether charges of corrupt
practices were established against the appellant, we deem it
necessary to reiterate that a charge of corrupt practice
B
envisaged by the Act is to be equated with a criminal charge
and the standard of proof thereof would not be preponderance
of probabilities as in a civil action but proof beyond reasonable
doubt as in a criminal trial. If this test is not applied, a very
serious prejudice is likely to be caused to the successful
c candidate whose election would not only be set aside, he may
also incur disqualification to contest an election for a certain
period entailing even extinction of his political career.
Undoubtedly, the onus lies heavily on the election petitioner to
make out a strong case for setting aside an election. ~
I

D ......
11. In Ch. Razik Ram (supra), speaking for the Bench,
Sarkaria, J. observed thus:

"..It is well settled that a charge of coirupt practice is
substantially akin to a criminal charge. The commission of
E
a corrupt practi(;e entails serious penal consequences. It
not only vitiates the election of the candidate concerned _)
but also disqualifies him from taking part in elections for ~

a considerably long time. Thus, the trial of an election
petition being in the nature of an accusation, bearing the
F indelible stamp of quasi-criminal action, the standard of
proof is the same as in a criminal trial. Just as in a criminal
case, so in an election petition, the respondent against
whom the charge of corrupt practice is levelled, is
presumed to be innocent unless proved guilty. A grave and
G · heavy onus therefore, rests on the accuser to establish
each and every ingredient of the charge by clear, ~
unequivocal and unim_peachable evidence beyond
reasonable doubt. It is 'true that there is no difference
between the general rules of evidence in civil and criminal
H

'
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 139

cases, and the definition of "proved" in Section 3 of the A
;.
Evidence Act does not draw a distinction between civil and
criminal cases. Nor does this definition insist on perfect
proof because absolute certainty amounting to
demonstration is rarely to be had in the affairs of life.
Nevertheless, the standard of measuring proof prescribed 8
by the definition, is that of a person of prudence and
practical good sense. 'Proof means the effect of the
evidence adduced in the case. Judged by the standard of
prudent man, in the light of the nature of onus cast by law,
the probative effect of evidence in civil and criminal c
proceedings is markedly different. The same evidence
which may be sufficient to regard a fact as proved in a civil
suit, may be considered insufficient for a conviction in a
criminal action. While in the former, a mere preponderance
l of probability may constitute an adequate basis of
.!-- D
decision, in the latter a far higher degree of assurance and
judicial certitude is requisite for a conviction. The same is
largely true about proof of a charge of corrupt practice,
which cannot be established by a mere balance of
probabilities and, if, after giving due consideration and
effect to the totality of the evidence and circumstances of E,
the case, the mind of the Court is left rocking with

- '•i<· reasonable doubt - not being the doubt of a timid, fickle
or vacillating mind - as to the veracity of the charge, it must
hold the same as not proved".
F
12. A three-Judge Bench of this Court in Jeet Mohinder
Singh (supra), referring to a large number of earlier decisions,
culled out the following legal principles, relevant for our purpose,
in the field of election jurisprudence:
G
"(i) The success of a candidate who has won at an
election should not be lightly interfered with. Any
petition seeking such interference must strictly
conform to the requirements of the law. Though the
purity of the election process has to· be
H
140 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.

.. A safeguarded and the Court shall be vigilant to see
that peopte do not get elected by flagrant breaches
of law or by committing corrupt practices, the
setting aside of an election involves serious
consequences not only for Jhe returned candidate
B and the constituency, but also for the public atlarge
inasmuch as re-election involves an .enormous ioad
ori the public funds and adminis'trati<m. [See: Jagan
.-.l ·.
Nath vs . . Jaswant Singh 13 , Gajanan ·Krishnaji
Bapat vs. Dattaji Raghobaji Meghe14 ].

(ii) Charge of. corrupt practice is q~asi~criminal in
cJiaracter. If substantiated, it leads not only to the
.. setting aside of the election of the successful
candidate, but also of his being disqualified to
contest an election for a certain period. It may entail
·,o extinction of a person's public life and political
· .career. A trial of an election. petition though within .
the realm of civil law is akin to trial on a criminal
charge. Two consequences follow. Firstly, the
allegations relating to commission of a corrupt
practice s~~~!d be sufficiently clear and stated
precisely so as to afford the person charged a full
\
· opportunity of meeting the same. Secondly, the Y.

·charges when put to issue should be proved·. by ·
clear, cogent and credible evidence. To prove
F charge of corrupt practice a mere preponderance
of probabilities would not be enough. There would . '
be a presumption of innocence available to the
person charged; The charge shall have to be
proved to the hilt, the standard of proof being the
G same as in a criminal triaL [See: Quamaru/ Islam
vs. S.K.1fanta 15 ~ F.A. Sapa vs. Singora 16 , · Manohar
13. AIR 1954 SC 210.
14. (1995)5 sec 341.
. 15. 1994 Supp (3) sec 5.
H 1.s. (1991) 3 sec 375.
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [O.K. JAIN, J.] 141

.J- Joshi etc. vs. Damodar Tatyaba alias Dada A
Saheb Rupwati etc17 • and Ram Singh vs. Col. Ram
Singh 18 ].

(iii) The Appellate Court attaches great value to the
opinion formed by the trial Judge more so when the B
trial Judge recording findings of fact is the same
who had recorded the evidence. The Appellate
Court shall remember that the jurisdiction. to try an
election petition has been vested in a Judge of the
High Court. Secondly, the trial Judge may have had
the benefit of watching the demeanour of witnesses .
c
and forming first-hand opinion of them in the
. process of evaluation of evidence. The Supreme
Court may re-assess the evidence and come to its
.
).. own conclusions on feeling satisfied that in
recording findings of fact the High Court has 0
disregarded settled principles· governing the
approach to evidence or committed grave or
palpable errors. [See: Gajanan Krishnaji Bapat
(supra); Kripa Shankar Chatterji vs. Gurudas
Chatterjee 19]". E

\.- 13. ·Similar opinion has been expressed in subsequent
)
decisions, including Surinder Singh (supra) and Mercykutty
~
Amma (supra) on which reliance had been placed by learned
counsel for the appellant. F
14. With this background, it has to be examined if the
findings recorded in the judgment in appeal, holding corrupt
practices under Sectiof! 123(3) and (5) of the Act having been
committed by the appellant, are justified or hit by the
contentions to the contrary raised by the appellant. It would be G
-4
appropriate to reproduce the aforesaid provisions of the Act,

11. (1991) 2 sec 342.
18. 1985 Supp sec 611.
19. (1995) 5 sec 1. H

:l
142 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.

-l:.
A which are extracted below:

"Section 123 - Corrupt practices. -The following shall be
deemed to be corrupt practices for the purposes of this
Act:-
B (1) xxx xxx xxx
(2) xxx xxx xxx

(3) The appeal by a candidate or his agent or by any other
~erson with the consent of a candidates or his election
c agent to vote or refrain from voting for any person on the
ground of his religion, race, caste, community or language
or the use of, or appeal to religious symbols or the use of,
or appeal to, national symbols, such as the national flag
~
or the national emblem, for the furtherance of the prospects
D of the election. of that candidate or for prejudicially affecting
the election of any candidate:

Provided that no symbol allotted under this Act to a
candidate shall be deemed to be a religious symbol or a
E national symbol for the purposes of this clause.

(3A) xxx xxx xxx

(38) xxx xxx xxx .
F (4) xxx xxx xxx

(5) The hiring or procuring, whether on payment or
otherwise, of any vehicle or vessel 9y a candidate or his
agent or by any other person Wi~h the consent of a
candidate or his election agent or the use of such vehicle
G
or vessel for the free conveyance of any elector (other than -!--
the candidate himself the members of his family or his
agent) to or from any polling station provided under
section 25 or place fixed under sub-section (1) of section

H
.
~

•
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [O.K. JAIN, J.] 143

·- 29 for the poll:

Provided that the hiring of a vehicle or vessel by an
A

elector or by several electors at their joint costs for the
purpose of conveying him or them to and from any such
polling station or place fixed for the poll shall not be
B
deemed to be a corrupt practice under this clause if the
vehicle or vessel so hired is a vehicle or vessel not
~
propelled. by mechanical power:

Provided further that the use of any public transport
vehicle or vessel or any tramcar or railway carriage by any c
elector at his own cost for the purpose of going to or
coming from any such polling station or place fixed for the
poll shall not be deemed to be a corrupt practice under
this clause.
~
D
Explanation.-ln this clause, the expression "vehicle"
means any vehicle used or capable of being used for the
purpose of road transport, whether propelled by
mechanical power or otherwise and whether used for
drawing other vehicles or otherwise. n
E
15. Issue No.1 is based on the alleged violation of sub-
~
,,, section (3) of Section 123, the vital ingredients of which,
relevant for our purpose, are:- (i) appeal by a candidate or his
agent or by any person with the consent of the candidate or his
election agent, (ii) to vote or refrain from voting for any person, F
(iii) on the ground of religion, race, caste, community or
language.

16. Therefore, in order to decide whether in the present
case, corrupt practice is committed, it has to be examined: (a)
G
-i whether notice (Ext.P1) and photo-calendar (Ext.P2)
independently or jointly constitute appeal to the voters to vote
on the ground of religion or caste or community of the appellant
as alleged in the election petition and (b) if so, whether the
appellant herein or his agent or any other person with the
H
144 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2009] 14 (ADDL.} S.C.R.

A consent of the appellant or his agent has printed and distributed· _).

or at least distributed the same among the voters to bring them
within the mischief. of the sub-section. Calendar (Ext.P2) is
described as printed at "Akshara" with· the telephone number
of the Press. It contains the photograph of the appellant with
.\
B the Holy Pope, taken on the occasion of the beatification
ceremony of Mother Teresa. Notice (Ext.P1) purportedly
authored and published in the name of John K., does not
-t
contain the name of the printing press or a· direct appeal to the
voters to vote for the appellant. To appreciate its contours and
c the.
- purpose,
. .
it would be expedient to visualize
.
its contents,
which are extracted below:

"Dear People,

21.4.2004
D '
-I,.

I need not introduce Adv. P.C. Thomas, Former President
of the Kothamangalam Diocese, former State Secretary
of the Catholic Congress, the son of P.T. Chacko, who was
Kerala's powerful.Home Minister and the prominent leader
our community has been. It is humbly brought to your notice
E
that our land and society will be blessed if P.C. Thomas
who has for the last 15 years been carrying out illustrious .4'
service as the pE!ople's representative of Muvattupuzha
"
Lok Sabha Constituency and safeguarded the honour of
the community and.above all of Keralites at the national
F level, is once again made victorious.

The Holy Father has exhorted us that the Christian
Community, which is about 2% of population of India,
should not keep away from the national main stream. Many
G priests, nun$ and spiritualists from Kerala are carrying out
gospel work, educational activities and nursing of the sick +
all over North India. Most of these places are now under
BJP Rule. Various just released opinion surveys clearly
predict that the BJP Government will again come to power
H at the centre. It is indisputable that i.f elected from ·
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 145

Muvattupuzha, P.C. Thomas will receive central cabinet A
J.
membership and also thereby a chance to do more good
for our homeland and society.

When our missionaries were abused in Jambuva of
Madhya Pradesh, it was P.C. Thomas who reached rushed
B
first and took a strong stand. And was not this matter
acknowledged and established through public declaration
.k
by revered father mar Mathew Vaniyakizhakkal. Many
representatives of the Christian community serving in North
India have, via phone and letters informed me that the help
and service they received at the political level should not
c
be caused to be lost, and requested that P.C. Thomas
must be elected and sent with more strength for functioning
for them at Delhi. I too desire for their hope to be fulfilled,
for P.C. Thomas is the greatest friend and well-wisher of
f. Malayalees in Delhi and other outside places. We ~re also D
witnesses to the fight he fought in parliament for the benefit
of the Agricultural Sector, which represents a great majority
of the members of our community. Financial security is
indispensable for spiritual strength, to some extent, as we
know. E

i..,.
P .C. Thomas, who participated as the official
representative of the Central Government at the ·function
beatifying and conferring sainthood to Mother Teresa who
had flown away to God's court like the piece of white cloud F
of purity and declared before the whole world, by kissing
the hand of the holy father, the love and affection of 100
crore Indians, stands as social worker whom our
community can always be proud of it was the selfishness
and personal interest of certain people, which sent him to
G
the BJP front. But there too he stands as a witness of Christ
+ like the old Joseph who was elevated as king by the aliens.

I request you to give P .C. Thomas, who is the
representative of the Christians followings the footsteps of
lord Jesus who stepped in to this world to preach the H
~-
~
146 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.

A gospel to the poor, to console the sad at heart to free the
shackled, to give sight to the blind and to liberate the l
oppressed and who follows the commandment of the Holy ~
Church, your ever strong prayer support to enable that son ~

to continue as Jesus witness in Delhi. "'"
B )"---
With love and regard t=
John Kachiramattom
....J
Sd/- John Kachiramattom"
c 17. Obviously, as the High Court has also deduced, notice ~

(Ext.P1) clearly contains an appeal in that, the Holy Father, the
..,.....
Pope, head of the Roman Catholics does exhort them not to
keep away from the mainstream. It applauds the services of the i-
appellant in standing for the community when it is under attack
D and had fought in Parliament for the benefit of the community, __);
whose interest demanded the Catholics/Christians to vote for
him. The notice does contain a message or an appeal on ~
religious grounds to the Christians/Catholics to vote for him for ~
the benefit of the larger interests of the Christians, particularly
E the Roman Catholics.
r
18. Indeed, the community members all over understood
;,.-
it as such. This is borne out from the testimony of Benny George /
1
(PW-2), K.J. Reji (PW-6), Chako (PW-7), Benny Avoly (PW-8), )-

F Jose (PW-9), etc. etc., who all deposed about the party workers
of IFDP, towhich party the appellant belonged to, giving notice
(ExtP1) and calendar (Ext.P2) to each one of them as a
.t'
statement by John K., a known leadec of Catholics. The consent
. of the appellant for distribution of the said exhibits among the
G Catholic voters, though not directly proved was rightly inferred ·
from the fact that his agent James, who got these printed; paid
charges and circulated these. The circulation of the said
exhibits amounted to violation of Section 123(3) of the Act. The +
aforesaid witnesses also stated having gone through the notice
(Ext.P1), discussed.about it with their family members or friends
H
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 147

_j_
and to have come to the conclusion that the appellant being a A
leader of Catholics and a candidate in the Parliamentary
Elections 2004, having always stood with the. community,
deserved to be supported and voted for. Nothing significant was
brought out in their cross examination to discredit them.
Considering it all, the High Court was satisfied that notice B'
(Ext.P1) and calendar (Ext.P2) were distributed by workers of
~
the appellant. Applying the test of common man's understanding
and. the effect of the said documents on the mind and feelings
of an ordinary average voter, we agree with the High Court that
the said notice/statement (Ext.P1) did constitute an appeal to c
..., the members of the Christian community, particularly, the
Catholics to seek their votes for the appellant, being a Catholic,
on the ground of religion, caste and community. Calendar
(Ext.P2), as indicated above, does not per se fall within the
't mischief of Section 123(3) of the Act but taken along with Exhibit
D
P1 does serve as a statement to strengthen the appeal in notice
(Ext.P1).

19. To bring the aforesaid appeal within the ambit of
Section 123(3) of the Act, it required proof that as per specific
pleas in paras 11 and 14 of the Election Petition, documentS E
Ext.P1 and Ext.P2 were got printed and published at Akshara
~
Press by the appellant through his election agent, James and
distribut~d by the agents or workers/campaigners as alleged.
We have examined the evidence produced in the case. The
election petitioner-Respondent No.1 claimed to have no F
personal knowledge about it and stated that the information
about it was supplied to him by the jeep driver, Ajimon (PW-4)
and K.K. Parmeswaran (PW-19) who deposed having supplied
the said information to the election petitioner around the middle
of May, 2004, whereafter the election petition was filed on 26th G
+ June, 2004.

20. Three witnesses were produced by the election
petitioner in support of his pleas (regarding printing and
distribution of Exts.P1 & P2) in paras 8, 9, 11 and 14 of the
148 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.} S.C.R.
.
A petition. Ajimon (PW-4) driver of the jeep KEF 7953 made a .J..
detailed statement about his reporting with jeep to appellant's
election agent James on 24th April, 2004; the latter taking the
jeep to Akshara Press; the appellant's arriving there and
making cash payment through his agent James to the Press
B owner; taking delivery of bundles of printed materials, each
bundle with a copy of the printed material Exts.P1 or P2 on it;
50 bundles of Exts.P1 and P2 being loaded in the jeep and
....(
James taking the jeep driven by PW-4 to the electio.n office at
eight named places and the stated number of bundles being
c unloaded at appellant's election offices at each place. He also
stated his reporting to James again on 25th April, 2004, loading
from the Press the remaining 50 bundles of the printed material .
in the jeep and going to three named places with and under
instruction of James and unloading the same at each place.
When cross-examined, he stated that the said jeep was sold _)· '
D ~

away by its OVv'.ner (RW-9) - Thomas, some two months after
the election. Further cross-examined, he denied that he was an
IFDP worker or that the day before, he was in the CPl(M) office,
and was pressurized by them to make a statement as above.

E 21. PW-5, K.K. Balachandran (claiming to have been
temporarily employed for a month at the Akshara Press to meet
the election rush of work) deposed about the appellant/his agent -)

James visiting the Press on 8th April, 2004 and placing a
printing order for notice (Ext.P1) and calendar (Ext.P2); these
F being printed there and packed in bundles; his being
associated in packing of the printed material at the Press and ~

f-
of James (RW-11) with the jeep driven by Ajimon (PW-4),
taking delivery; appellant reaching there; making payment to the
Press owner through his agent James; his (witnesses) assisting
G in loading of 50 bundles in the jeep and James leaving the
Press in the said jeep. Cross-examined, he gave details of the
premises, the machinery installed, therein, and the other
+ ....
'
'

occupiers of the building. He denied the suggestion that he had
no connection with the Press or that he came to the court to {,,__-
make a false statement.
H
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 149

li~ 22. PW-6 (K.J.Reji) deposed about his attending an A
election meeting at 5.30 p.m. on 24th April, 2004 at
Vazhakulam; participation of the appellant and John K in the
meeting; the latter making a speech; the jeep coming to the
election office of the appellant, unloading of some bundles and
on request of Anil Johny (his friend) to have taken bundles to B
the election office of the first respondent. He also stated of
being given a calendar (Ext.P2) and notice (Ext.P1) from these
bundles; his going back home with these; reading notice
(Ext.P1) and seeing the calendar (Ext.P2). Cross-examined, he
denied that he was an active worker of the IFDP. He was not c
questioned on his statement about the election meeting on 24th
April, !2004 attended by the appellant and being addressed by
JohnK.

(_ 23. To counter the evidence of PW-4, PW-5 and PW-6, the
appellant produced Thomas (RW-9), the owner of jeep, Jose D
Kutty (RW-6), owner of Akshara Press and James (RW-11),
who respectively sought to counter the versions of the
respondent No.1 's witnesses, PWs-4, 5, and 6 aforesaid. RW-
9, Thomas, owner of the jeep stated that he never gave the jeep
to PW-4 or instructed him to report to James on 24th April, E
2009. He admitted that Ajimon was employed by him but to
~ drive his bus. According to him, the jeep was purchased just
for sale and was not run by him. According to him, the jeep was
sold away by him within eight days of its purchase. If really so,
there was no occasion for him to get it transferred in his name, F
which he did. RW-6 (Jose Kutty), owner of the Press denied
having ever employed PW-5 or the printing of notice (Ext.P1)
and calendar (Ext.P2) at his. Press. In cross- examination, he
admitted that the appellant and his election agents were known
to him for a long time; that he did undertake election printing G
-{
work for them and also that printing any material without
inscribing the name of the Press thereon (as on notice, Ex.P1)
is violative of the provisions of Section 137A of the Act, inviting
prosecution/action against him. The High Court in its juggment
under appeal for reasons stated discredited the testimony of H
150 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.
'
A the owner of the jeep (RW-9) and owner of the printing Press
_il_
(RW-6) and believed the testimony of PW-4, PW-5 and PW-6.,
While dealing with the statement of RW-9, the High Court has ,,..
recorded that his answers to the questions were generally
evasive and his evidence untrustworthy. Nothing was pointed
B out against these observations. His testimony carries little
conviction as against that of PW-4 (Ajimon).

24. RW-11, James, the chief election agent of the
appellant, in his proof affidavit, denied the allegation made by
PW-4, PW-5 and PW-6 and the part allegedly attributed to him
c by PW-5 about the placing of a printing order of Exts.P1 and
P2 with Akshara Press on 8th April, 2004 and taking delivery
I~
of the printed material on 24th April, 2004 (vouched by PW-4
and PW-5) at 5.00 p.m. or so, or about the election meeting
on 24th April, 2004 at 5.30 p.m. at Vazhakullam; stated by PW-
D 6 as having been attended by him and the appellant or being _)
addressed by John K, purported author of Ext.P1. According
to him, there was no such meeting at 5.30 p.m. or 6.00 p.m.,
as on that date and time; he was in the District Collector's office
where scrutiny of nomination papers of the appellant was held.
E In cross-examination, he stated that his attendance in
proceedings for scrutiny of papers is a matter reflected in court
records. No evidence about it was produced in support. Being
an advocate of standing, associated with law office of the
appellant for 26 years, he well understood its importance, for if
F really so, production of such record could have rendered the
_.;
- y

entire case of the election petitioner about RW-11 getting
Exts.P1 and P2 printed; taking delivery of the same from
Akshara Press; its distribution that day as highly doubtful, nay,
a nullity and not doing so provided sanctity to the election
G petitioner's case and credibility to the testimony of PW-4 to PW-
6. We accordingly see no ground to differ with the findings
recorded by the High Court on issue No.1. -+
25. The aforesaid -findings on issue No.1 were sought to
be assailed by learned senior counsel appearing for the . ..._
H
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 151

appellant on points No.(i) to (v) digested in para 8 (supra). A
These are not tenable. Pithily stated, these were: (i) it was
neither the case of the election petitioner nor any specific plea
that the appellant had appealed to the electors to vote for him
on the ground of community or religion by distribution of Exts.P1
and P2; (ii) the aforesaid documents were not proved by B 1

prescribed procedure and the basis for forming opinion thereon
was missing; (iii} notice (Ext.P1) purports to be authored by
John K, who was not examined by the election petitioner
despite having cited him as a witness and as such an inference
drawn by the learned Judge was based on unproved c
documents; (iv} no witness produced had stated that he had
acknowledged to him that John K had prepared or signed the
said exhibits and (v) the inference drawn is based on unproved
documents.

26. As already noted above (Para 19 supra), the election D
petitioner's case in paras 8, 9, 11 and 14 of the petition laid in
specific terms, concisely put, does show that documents
Exts.P1 and P2, purportedly authored by John K, were got
printed by the appellant through his admitted election agent -
James at Akshara Press; the appellant paid charges therefor E
\..- through his said agent to the owner of the Press and delivery
of the printed material was taken from the Press and the same
were circulated amongst Catholic/Christian voters by
appellant's agents and campaigners to his knowledge. As
noted in para 17 (supra}, these did contain an appeal to F
Catholics/ Christians to vote for the appellant on religious
grounds. These documents, produced by the election petitioner,
were also proved by him as PW-1 and exhibited P1 and P2
with the consent of the parties. PW-5 also stated that the notice
(Ext.P1) and calendar (Ext.P2) were given by James (RW-11), G
-+- agent of the appellant for printing at Akshara printers where he
was then working. No objection on pleas of "inadmissibility" or
"mode of proof was raised at the time of their exhibition or any
time later during trial, when most- of the witnesses, produced
by the parties were confronted with these, as duly exhibited, H
152 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.
(

A bearing stamp marking with particulars, prescribed under Order A
XIII Rule 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and duly signed
as such. In our opinion, it is too late in the day now to object to
their exhibition on the ground of "prescribed procedure" i.e.
mode of proof. Moreover, we also find that it was nobody's
B case that the said documents were got printed by John K or
distributed amongst voters by him. Absence of proof of
acknowledgment/by him because of non production of John K
A
as a witness, in the circumstances, in our view, is
inconsequential. Admittedly, John K was a well known leader
c of high stat_ure, recognized as such by Christian/Catholic voters
including those mentioned in Para 17 (supra) and, therefore,
there is no question of drawing an adverse inference against
the election petitioner for not examining him, as strenuously
urged on behalf of the appellant, particularly when the printing
and circulation of offending material (Exts.P1 and P2) has been
D
proved by the election petitioner beyond reasonable doubt. In
that view of the matter, the dictum of this Court in Hem Raj
(supra) and other cases referred to in para 8 (supra) is not
applicable. In these cases, the election petitions were
dismissed because of inadequacy of the evidence produced
E by the election petitioners in order to discharge the onus to
prove the corrupt practice alleged and not because of non-
examination of a named witness. Moreover, the printing and
circulation of Exts.P1 and P2 having been proved, the question
as to who authored Ext.P1 is immaterial. The contentions raised
F by the learned counsel on the point are thus, unsustainable.

27. As regards the decision of this Court in Ch. Razik Ram
(supra) and other decisions on the issue, relied upon on behalf
of the appellant, there is no quarrel with the legal position that
G the charge of corrupt practice is to be equated with criminal
charge and the proof required in support thereof would be as
in a· criminal charge and not preponderance of probabilities,
+
as in a civil action but proof "beyond reasonable doubt". It is
well settled that if after balancing the evidence adduced there
still remains· little doubt in proving the charge, its benefit must
H
P.C. THOMAS v. P.M. ISMAIL & ORS. [D.K. JAIN, J.] 153
.....
}._ go to the returned candidate. However, it is equally well settled A
that while insisting upon the standard of proof beyond a
reasonable doubt, the Courts are not required to extend or
stretch the doctrine to such an extreme extent as to make it well
nigh impossible to prove any allegation of corrupt practice. Such
an approach would defeat and frustrate the very laudable and ' B
sacrosanct object of the Act in maintaining purity of the electoral
process. (See: S. Harcharan Singh vs. S. Sajjan Singh &
Ors. 20 ). As noted above, in the present case, the High Court
has recorded a clear finding that the election petitioner has
produced adequate evidence which goes to prove the charges c
against the appellant under Section 123(3) of the Act beyond
reasonable doubt. Thus, the ratio of the decision relied upon
by the appellant is of no avail to him.

.... ,,, 28. This Court in Gajanan Krishnaji Bapat (supra) has
obseC1ed that although being the Court of First appeal, this D
Court ,,as no inhibition in reversing such a finding, of fact or
law, which has been recorded on a misreading or wrong
appreciation of the evidence or the law but ordinarily the
appellate court attaches great value to the opinion formed by
the Trial Judge, more so when the Trial Judge happens to be E
a High Court Judge; had recorded the evidence and had the
,. \.- benefit of watching the demeanour of witnesses in forming first
hand opinion of them in the process of evaluation of evidence.
This Court should not interfere with the findings of fact recorded
by the Trial Court unless there are compelling reasons to do F
. so.

29. Having examined the material on record in the light of
the afore-noted settled principles, we are convinced that the
High Court has not committed any grave error in the
G
appreciation and assessment of the evidence on the point. On
consideration of the evidence in its totality, adduced by the
election petitioner and the appellant, we agree with the High
Court that the election petitioner has adduced cogent,
• 20. (1985) 1 sec 370. H
154 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2009] 14 (ADDL.) S.C.R.
""
,.!
A satisfactory and reliable evidence to establish the charge
against the appellant under Section 123(3) of the Act.

30. For the view we have taken above, we deem it
unnecessary to examine the second issue, viz. the corrupt
practice in hiring or procuring vehicles free of charges to the
B
electors to go to and from the polling booths falling under
Section 123(5) of the Act, on which ground also the election of
the appellant has been invalidated by the High Court.

31. For all the foregoing reasons, we see no merit in this
c ,appeal. The same is dismissed accordingly but. in the
circumstances of the case, we make no order as to costs in
this appeal.

..
/

CIVIL APPEAL N0.5777 OF 2006 -:)· .

D
32. This appeal under Section 116A of the Act has been
preferred by the 2nd respondent in C.A. No.5033 of 2006, who
had unsuccessfully contested the election as a candidate of the
Kerala Congress (M). As noted above, the appellant in the said
appeal, who was declared elected had got 2,56,411 votes; the .
E election petitioner got 2,55,882 votes and the appellant in this
appeal had secured 2,09,880 votes. The short grievance of the -../
appellant is thJ,t election of P.C. Thomas having been set aside,
instead of declaring the election petitioner as elected; the High
Court should have declared the appellant as elected from 12
F H.P. Muvattupuzha Parliamentary Constituency.

33. In our opinion, fresh election to the said parliamentary
constituency having already taken place in this year, this appeal
is rendered infructuous and has to be dismissed .on that
G ground. It is ordered accordingly.
+
K.K.T. Appeals dismissed.