Holding

The election of Dharmvir is void under Section 100(1)(d) due to corrupt practices, and the High Court cannot disqualify him for six years under Section 8‑A.

Summary

The appellant, Dharmvir, was elected to the Haryana Legislative Assembly from the Toshan constituency in June 1987. Petitioners alleged that during the counting of votes, Dharmvir's agents double‑marked, defaced and mutilated ballot papers cast for the rival candidate, Bansi Lal, and intimidated the Returning Officer to obtain his assistance, thereby committing corrupt practices under the Representation of People Act, 1951. The Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside Dharmvir's election, declared it void under Section 100(1)(d), and disqualified him for six years, holding that Section 8‑A barred the High Court from ordering disqualification. On appeal, the Supreme Court affirmed the High Court's factual findings, held that Section 100(1)(d) applied and the election was void, but ruled that Section 8‑A makes the High Court incompetent to impose disqualification, setting aside that order. The appeal was dismissed with costs, and the special leave petition was also dismissed.

Issues considered

Whether Section 8‑A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 bars a High Court from ordering disqualification of a returned candidate.
Whether Sections 64‑A, 123(2), 123(7), 123(8) and 135‑A(d) are applicable to the facts of the case.
Whether the improper rejection of votes cast for the rival candidate attracts Section 100(1)(d) and renders the election void.
Whether the rival candidate can be declared elected in place of the returned candidate.
Whether scrutiny and inspection of the ballot papers is appropriate in the circumstances.

Legislation cited

Representation of People Act, 1951s. 100(1)(d), s. 123(2), s. 123(7), s. 123(8), s. 135-A(d), s. 64-A, s. 8-A

Subjects

election petitioncorrupt practiceundue influenceballot paper tamperingdisqualificationSection 100Section 8-ARepresentation of People Act

Judgment

A SH. DHARMVIR
v.
- '

AMAR SINGH

FEBRUARY 6, 1996

B [J.S. VERMA, CJ. AND K.S. PARIPOORNAN, J.]

The Representation of People Act, 1951:
-
Section 100 (l)(d)-Election-Counting process-Ballot papers-In
favour of rival candidate-Found double marked, defaced and muti-
c lated-Thousands of votes cancelled and rendered invalid-Returned
candidate's abetment, connivance and consent proved-Benefit of wrongful
rejection of votes derived by returned candidate alone--Retumed candidate's
election-Materially affected by improper rejection of votes obtained by rival
-
---.

candidate-Returned candidate's election declared void.
D
Section 64-A-Not applicable as it deals with a situation where the
counting of votes is not complete-Sections 123(2) and (7)-Not ap-
plicable-As it deals· with comtpt practices indulged at a stage prior to the
casting of the votes-Applicable only to pre- voting stage and not post-voting
stage.
E
Sections 123(8) and 135-A(d)-Not applicable-As these were inserted
long after elections and counting were over and have no retrospective ef-
feet-Hence reliance placed on Section JOO(l)(b) read with Sections 123(2),
(7) or (8) and 135-A(d) misplaced.
F
Section 8-A-Disqualification---High Court not competent to order dis-
qualification of a candidate for a period of six years.

Election Petition-Trial of-Findings of fact-Based on appreciation of
oral evidence-challenge of-Appellate Cowt should not nonnally inteifere
G with it.
Election-Inspection and sc1utiny of ballot papers-Prayer f Ol'-votes
cast-In favour of 1ival candidate-found do~ble marked, def~ced or mu ti- ___...
lated-Held : High Cowt rightly declined to grant the prayer.

H Section 101-Declaration of rival candidate as elected-No evidence to
156
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH 157

enter finding that he received majority of valid votes-Held : such declaration A
could not be granted.

The appellant's election to the State legislative Assembly was
declared void and set aside by the High Court. The appellant was further
disqualified for a period of six years from seeking election. Aggrieved by B
the High Court's judgment the appellant preferred the present appeal.

On behalf of the appellant it was contended that the various acts of
hooliganism and nefarious activities at the time of counting of the votes
were not true and had not been proved : that the statutory provisions of

- Sections 100, 123(2) and 123(7) of the Representation of People Act, 1951
did not apply; that only Section 64-A of the Act was applicable; that the
High Court was totally in error in disqualifying the appellant for a period
c
of six years from seeking election; and that under the Statute, the power
was vested with the President to determine the question as to whether any
person should be disqualified and if so, for what period.
D
On behalf of the respondents it was contended that there was abun-
dant material in the case to show that the hooliganism and goondaism
preyailed during the counting of votes at the instance of the appellant; that
the nefarious and illegal activities stood amply proved by the evidence in
the case; that Sections 123(2) and 123(7) read with Section 100(1) and E
135-A(d) of the Act amply brought out the various corrupt practices
indulged in by the appellant; that it was true that in view of Section 8-A of
the Act the question regarding determination of disqualification was left
to the President and the High Court was not justified in pronouncing on
the matter; and that the rival candidate be declared as elected.
F
Dismissing the appeal, this Court

HELD : 1.1. Under the Statute, the High Court is incompetent to
order disqualification. Section 8-A of the Representation of People Act,
1951 concludes the matter. On this ground the finding of the High Court G
that the appellant is disqualified from contesting election for a period of
six years is set aside. [169-E]

1.2. The respondents have stated the details of the various acts of
hooliganism, threat, intimidation and other nefarious activities that were
indulged in by the appellant and his henchmen at the time of counting of H
158 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996] 2 S.C.R.

A the votes. As against the positive case so pleaded by the respondents, the
sole defence put up by the appellant was one of clear denial. There are no
two versions of the incident. From the pleadings and on the basis of the
evidence on record it was clear that various acts of hooliganism and other
nefarious activities did take place and there is material to support the said
plea. The finding arrived at by the High Court that the appellant was guilty
B of corrupt practice was pure findings of fact, based on appreciation of the
oral evidence adduced in the case. Conclusion of the High Court up held.
[169-F-H, 170-A-B]
Sa1ju Pershad Ramdeo Sahu v. Jwaleshwari Pratap Narain Singh and
C Others, (1951) SC 120, relied on.

2.1. Section 64-A of the Act deals with a situation where the counting
of votes is not complete and in case the irregularities mentioned there in
should occur, the powers detailed therein can be exercised by the Election
Commission. That section has no application of the present case. Sections
D 123(2) and 123(7) are also inapplicable. Sections 123(2) and 123(7) deal
with corrupt practices indulged at a stage prior to the casting of the votes.
Similarly. Section 123(7) refers to a corrupt practice done for the fur-
therance of the prospects of that candidate's election. Prima facie, these
two sub-sections will apply only to pre-voting stage and not post-voting
E stage. [181·D·E]

2.2. Reliance placed on Section lOO(l)(b) read with Sections 123(2),
(7) or (8) and 135-A(d) is also misplaced. Section lOO(l)(d) is a general
provision and does not, in terms, refer to a corrupt or fraudulent act
practised by a candidate or his henchmen at the time of counting of votes
F and its impact on the results of the election. Section 123(8) deals with
booth capturing by a candidate or his agent. The said section was inserted
long after the elections and counting in the ·instance case were over. So
Section 123(8) is inapplicable. Similarly, Section 135-A(d) has no
retrospective affect since the election and the counting of votes and the
G declaration were over long before its insertion. [181-F-G]

3.1. The provisions of Section lOO(l)(d) of the Act were clearly
attracted on the facts this case. [181-H]

The ballot papers of the rival candidate were being double mark~d,
H defaced and mutilated with the abetment, connivance and consent of the
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH 159

-- appellant and it was only the appellant who could benefit by the wrongful
rejection of the votes cast by the electors in favour of the rival candidate.
The various acts of hooliganism and other fraudulent and nefarious acts
A

and activities committed by the appellant have been amply proved. The plea
to the contra is repelled. The result of the election, so far as it concerned
the appellant, has been materially affected by the improper rejection of the B
votes obtained by the rival candidate attracting Section lOO(l)(d) of the
Act. (182-B-C]

3.2. When it has been found that the votes caste in favour of the rival
candidate have been double-marked, defaced or mutilated resulting in their
cancellation, no further useful purpose would be served by inspection and C
scrutiny of the ballot papers. The High Court was justified in holding that
the scrutiny cannot conclusively determine as to which ballot papers bad
been initially marked in favour of which candidate. So also the High Court
rightly held that on the basis of the evidence, a finding can.not be entered
that in fact the rival candidate received a majority of the valid votes and
so, the prayer for declaring him as elected cannot be granted. D
(182-H, 183-A-B]
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil appeal No. 2886
(NCE) of 1989 Etc.

From the Judgment and order dated 2.6.89 of the Punjab and E
Haryana High Court in E.P. No. 7of1987.

D.V. Sehgal, U.R. Lalit, R.K. Khanna, B.S. Malik, R. Bana, Surya
Kant and Prem Malhotra for the appearing parties.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
F
PARIPOORNAN, J. These are connected cases. The main appeal is
C.A. No. 2886 of 1989. The Civil Appeals and the Special Leave Petition
are preferred against the Judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court,
Chandigarh dated 2.6.1989 rendered in E.P. No. 7of1987. The validity of
election to the Haryana Legislative Assembly held in June, 1987 for the 67 G
- Toshan Legislative Assembly seat is in issue. Civil Appeal No. 2886 of
1989 is the appeal filed by the returned candidate Shri Dhararnvir, Lokdal
(B) - first respondent in E.P. No. 7of1987 (as amended). The respondents
therein are, petitioners 1 to 3 in the election petition, respondent No. 2 in
the election petition Shri Bansi Lal (Indian National Congress) and respon-
dents 3 to 15 in the election petition - independent candidates, who H
160 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996] 2 S.C.R.

A contested the election. Petitioners 1 to 3, respondent No: 2 and respon- -
dents 3 to 15 in the election petition are arrayed as respondents 1 to 17 in
Civil Appeal No. 2886 of 1989. In Civil Appeal No. 2888 of 1989, the >
appellants are respondents 1 to 3 in Civil Appeal No. 2886 of 1989
(petitioners in the election petition). Special Leave Petition No. 12196 of
1989 is one filed by a person who was not a party in the High Court. The
B petitioner therein was the Returning Officer PW 9. Shri M.L. Saiwan, who,
aggrieved by certain observations made against him, has sought special
leave to appeal against the judgment dated 2.6.1989. The election petition
was one filed under Section 80 to 84 and 100 of part VI. Chapter II of the
Representation of People Act, 1951 (hereinafter referred to as the Act).
C In short, the prayer in the petition was to declare the election of the
appellant (first respondent in the election petition) to the Haryana State
Assembly from 67-Toshan Legislative Assembly seat (hereinafter referred
to as the Assembly seat) held in June, 1987 ·as void and to declare the
fourth respondent herein (respondent No. 2 in the election petition) Shri
Bansi Lal (Indian National Congress) as elected. The High Court, by a
D detailed judgment dated 2.6.1989, held that the election of the appellant to
the Assembly seat is void and set aside the same. The appellant was further
disqualified for a period of six years from seeking election from the date
the judgment came into force. It is from the aforesaid judgment, the first
respondent in the election petition (Appellant herein) has filed this appeal
under Section 116-A of the Act.
E
2. For the sake of convenience, we will refer to the parties as they
are arrayed in the appeal - Civil Appeal No. 2886of1989. The election for
the Assembly seat was held on 17.6.1987. The counting of the votes took
place on 13.6.1987. The results were declared on 19.6.1987. Shri Devi Lal,
F leader of Lok Dal (B) party was sworn in as Chief Minister of Haryana
State on 20.6.1987. the appellant polled 32,547 votes, as against 30,361
voters polled by the fourth respondent. The invalidated votes amounted to
3,128, out of which in 2,799 votes, there was double markings in the ballot
papers. In brief, the allegations to set aside the election are that the
appellant was guilty of commission of corrupt practice of undue influence
G as envisaged by Section 123(2) of the Act by direct or indirect interference
with the free exercise of electoral right. It was alleged that with the consent
of the appellant, his counting agents started creating terror and brow
-beating and threatening with physical injuries, the counting agents of other
candidates, that the ballot papers of the fourth respondent were spoiled by
H putting unauthorised rubber stamp, (a replica of the rubber stamp
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN, J.] 161

authorised by the Election Commission of India for marking the ballot A
papers), marks were cast on the ballot papers, which were in favour of the
fourth respondent to invalidate the votes, that at least 10 to 15 votes of
each polling booth cast in favour of the fourth respondent were included
in the bundles of ballot papers of the appellant, that instructions were given
to the counting agents that if any interference is made in the above, the
B
person should be severely dealt with and notwithstanding the complaint
made to the Returning Officer (PW-9) and the Observer (PW-12), no
action was taken against the above unauthorised acts and threats, that
unauthorised rubber seals were recovered by the Returning Officer from
Table No. 1 at the instance of police and votes spoiled on Table No. 2 were
brought to the Returning Officer for being rejected as invalid, etc. but c
nothing was done to put an end to the above unauthorised acts. The
Returning Officer (PW-9) was physically dealt with and the appellant was
able to obtain an order of rejection of valid votes polled in favour of the
fourth resp6i1aent as invalid with the assistance of the Returning Officer
to further the prospects of his election and it was alleged that on these D
grounds, the election is liable to be set aside under Section lOO(l)(d)(l)
and (iii) of the Act. The votes cast in favour of the fourth respondent,
which were tempered with and rendered invalid, numbered to 3138. The
counting agents of the fourth respondent were not allowed to effectively
participate during the counting and there was suspension of the ~ounting
more than once. These and other allegations, by which the appellant E
furthered his prospects to invalidate the votes cast in favour of the fourth
respondent caused rejection of valid votes cast in favour of the fourth
respondent by affixing seal, unauthorisedly, and intimidation and physical
threats were administered to PW 9 Returning Officer in the course of
counting, etc. These averments are dealt with in paragraphs 7 to 9 of the F
election petition in detail (Paper book Vol. II P. 196 to 201). As against
these allegations, the defence was one of total denial to the effect that no
such incident took place.

3. In the light of the pleadings of the parties, the High Court
condensed the electoral controversy into eleven issues, of which Issue Nos. G
1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 are material, for the purpose of this appeal. They are as
follows:

"l. Whether respondent No. 1, his counting agents and sup-
porters with his consent committed corrupt practices of H
162 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1996) 2 S.C.R.

A undue influence, by direct or ind~rect interference or any
attempt to interfere in the free exercise of the electoral rights
as detailed in paragraph 6 of the election petition?
-
2. Whether respondent No. 1, his counting agents and sup-
porters with his consent committed corrupt practices of ob-
B taining and procuring the assistance of a Returning Officer,
for the furtherance of his election, as detailed in paragraph
7? .

4. Whether the Returning Officer has improperly rejected the
valid votes, polled in favour of respondent No. 2, and if so,
c what is its effect?

5. Whether the Returning Officer permitted respondent No. 1,
his agents and his supporters to physically handle the valid
votes of respondent No. 2 and to tamper with the same in
D violation of the Act and the Rules?

7. Whether Form 20 has been prepared subsequent to the decla-
ration of election result on the basis of imaginary figures and if so,
what is its effect?. "

E The findings on the above issues are summarised in the appeal petition, at
pages 108 to 110, in the following terms :

(i) Issue No.l - the agents and supporters of the appellant with
his consent put double marks, stamps, seals or thumb impres-
sions on the votes cast in favour of respondent No. 4 thereby
F invalidating the same. The appellant was found guilty of
commission of corrupt practice of undue influence under
Section 123(2) of the Act.

(ii) Issue No. 2 - the appellant, his agents and supporters man-
-
handled the r:!turning officer and thus.obtained/procured the
G
assistance of the returning officer for the furtherance of his
election prospects and thus guilty under Section 123(7) of the
Act.

(iv) Issue No. 4 - returning officer improperly rejected votes which
H had been caste in favour of respondent No. 4.
-~
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN, J.] 163

(v) Issue No. 5 returning officer had permitted the appellant, his A
agents and supporters to tamper with the votes in favour of
respondent No. 4. ·

(vii) Issue No. 7 - election result in Form 20 had been prepared
on the basis of imaginary figures and is thus liable to be set B
aside."

4. The petitioners in the E.P. examined 15 witnesses and the appel-
lant-1st respondent examined 9 witnesses. While discussing the evidence in
the case, the learned Judge of the High Court dealt with the official
witnesses examined on behalf of the parties at great length. The aforesaid
c
witnesses are 1) PW 9 M.L. Sharwan, Returning Officer, 2) PW 10 Shri
Sunil Shourie, Police Officer who was on duty during counting of votes 3)
PW 11 Shri Yashpal Sharma, Deputy Superintendent of Police, who was
posted at the time of counting, 4) PW 12 Shri R.S. Mann, I.AS., Secretary,
Transport Department, Punjab, who was deputed as observer of the Elec- D
tion Commission, and 5) RW 4 K.O. Saha, Secretary, Election Commission
of India. The appellant examined himself as RW 1. There were other
formal witnesses also. The High Court observed that the statement of PWs
10, 11 and 12 find corroboration on material particulars from the contem-
poraneous documents. It was held that the above witnesses are senior and E
responsible Government officers, that they are wholly independent and dis-
interested witnesses, that they are not in any way biased against the
appellant and are not interested in the election petitioners or the fourth
respondent, and that all the three witnesses were present in the counting
hall on duty. The corroborative materials relied on by the High Court are F
PWs 9/5 6, 7, 8 and 10, PWs 14/1 and 2, PWs 6/3-A, 3-B, 4-A, 5 and 6,.
PW 3/1, PW 8/1, PW 13/1, PW 7/1 and PW 12/1. The evidence·of PWs 10,
11 and 12 were discussed at pages 42 to 47, 47 to 50 and 50 to 65
(Paperbook Vol. I). The Court also found that the evidence of respondent
No. 7 Joint Electoral Officer, Haryana lends support to the deposition of
PW 12. Similarly, the statements of PWs 8, 13, 14 and 15 were referred to G
show that they corroborate the statements of PWs 10, 11 and 12 (Paper-
book Vol. I page 66). The evidence of PW 9 the Returning Officer was
examined at great length (pages 67 to 77 of Paperbook vol.I) and the Court
observed that his statement does not inspire confidence and that while
appearing as witness he was under great "pressure". The Court also ob- H
164 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996] 2 S.C.R.

A served that PW 9 has made a very crude attempt to help the returned
candidate (appellant) and it is difficult to believe an officer belonging to
the State Civil Services and of his standing, will be coerced and pressurised
to create documentary evidence for the success in an election petition. The
Court was also of the view that PW 9 was trying to get .out of the admissions
B · in his report. Ext. PW 9/6, which are demaging to the case of the appellant.
It was concluded that PW 9 is a self-confessed liar and that he had himself
prepared incorrect reports and ante-dated them and no reliance can be
placed on his statement made in Court. While discussing the evidence of
the defence, at pages 78 to 84, the Court stated that the defence evidence
is of negative nature and flies in the face of very cogent, convincing and
C blemishless evidence of PWs 10, 11 and 12, that the defence evidence
cannot be accepted in preference to the evidence of PW 10, 11 and 12, that
the facts and circumstances disclosed in the case run counter to the
statements of RW 4, Secretary, Election Commission of India, that the
report stated to have been submitted by him regarding his observation to
D the Chief Election Commission of India was not produced nor was avail-
able, that the evidence of RW 4 cannot be accepted in preference to the
statements of PWs 10, 11and12 and has to be rejected.

5. On an analysis of the evidence in the case, the Court entered the
E following findings :

"From the evidence of PWs. 10, 11 and 12 and the documents
referred to above, it is established that the supporters of Lok Dal
(B) candidates had created an atmosphere of awe, terror and
F hooliganism in the counting hall during the very first round of
counting. Shr! Sat Pal respondent No. 15 and his counting agent
Diwan Singh were given beatings. The earthen pitchers were
broken, furniture was scattered and the counting agents of the
Congress (I) candidate were terrorised. Most of these counting
agents left the counting hall. The counting hall had been sur-
G rounded by supporters of Ch. Dharamvir respondent No. 1. Many
of them were armed with lethal weapons. They were not permitted
easy egress or ingress to the counting hall. Even the members of
the police party who were deputed to bring back the agents of the
Congress (I) candidate could get out of the hall only with great
H difficulty. The mob did not permit the return of the counting agent
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN, J.] 165

of the Congress (I) candidate through two valiant efforts in this A
behalf were made by the jawans of the CRPF. During the process
of counting, duplicate markings were being put on the ballot papers
which had been cast by the electors in favour of Ch. Bansi Lal the
Congress (!) candidate. Thousand of votes were thus cancelled as
invalid. According to Shri R.S. Mann (PW12) on such ballot papers B
bearing multiple marking there was visibly clear stamp mark plf.t
against the Congress (!) candidate, while the second mark or thumb
impression or stamp impression was put against several other
candidates. Counterfeit stamps were recovered from the counting
hall. The Lok Dal (B) candidate was constantly moving from one
table to another carrying whispering conversation giving clear impres- c
sion that whatever was happening had his approval and was being
monitored by him. At about 11.00/11.15 a.m. Shri Shourie and Shri
Sharma Noticed a person sitting on a table at the end of the left row
aff1Xing stamps and defacing the ballot papers. They proceeded
towards that table. That person, on seeing them, threw the stamp D
on the floor Ch. Dharamvir respondent No. 1 who was standing
there, put his foot on the stamp. This clearly establishes that the
ballot papers of the Congress (I) candidates were being double
marked. Defaced and mutilated with the abetment, connivance and
consent of Ch. Dharmvir respondent No. 1. As the result indicates E
the contest was only between respondent No. 1 and respondent
No. 2. The remaining candidates had obtained very few votes. They
were present in the counting hall and were aware of this fact. None
of them could gain by spoiling the vote of respondents No. 2. It
was only respondent No. 1 who could benefit by the wrongful rejec-
tion of the votes cast by the electors in favour of respondent No. 2.
F
The counting agents of respondent No. 2 were not being permitted
to come to the counting hall so that the illegal activities of the Lok
Dal (B) candidate's agents should go on unhindered and un-
noticed. Shri Sarwan in his first report Ext. PW 6/5 has clearly
written that he received complaints regarding the use of marking G
stamps on ballot papers. He verified this fact from various counting
supervisors and found that supervisors on tables No. 6 and 13 had
been using stamps (for double marking). He further stated that the
counting agents were being abused and coerced and they were
helpless and could not count the votes properly. He had found a H
166 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996] 2 S.C.R.

A stamp pad being used by counting agents for putting thumb im-
pressions on the ballot papers and getting them cancelled. He
found that a substantial number of votes of C01zgress (I) candidates
was cancelled and that had resulted for systematic defacement of the
. ballot papers by the counting agents. His report Ex. PW 916 bristles
with the sordid details of the nefarious happenings in the counting
B
hall. The report opens with a lament that there is an abnormal
increase in the deliberate cancellation of votes of Congress (I)
candidate by various mischievous counting agents who had marking
stamps in their possession and had succeeded in spoiling ballot
papers in favour of Congress (I) candidate. Even the additional
c supervisors deputed to oversee the counting of votes have also
become silent spectators because of the coercive methods being
deployed by the counting agents of opposition candidates (Respon-
dent No. 1 was in real sense the opposition candidate against Ch.
Bansi Lal). He has given an instance that 200 votes out of 676 votes
of table No. 12 had been cancelled. He conceded that he was
D
unable to carry on the counting. He also observed that any such
trend of cancellation of votes for 8 Bhiwani Parliamentary Con-
stituency was not there. He further stated that the counting super-
visors on the various tables felt a sense of insecurity while counting
votes. They informed Shri Sarwan that they were helpless in view
E of the menace of spoiling the genuine votes polled in favour of the
Congress (I) candidate~ He concluded that no free, fair and proper
counting of votes could be done. This was the view of the counting
supervisors and counting assistants and Shri Sarwan was also of
the same view. This document had come into existence at 2.00 a.m.
F on June 19, 1987. On receipt of this, Shri K.C. Saha, Secretary,
Election Commission passed order Ex. PW 9/7 ~d directed that
counting may be temporarily suspended until 8.00 a.m. on June 19,
1987 and the counting must resume at 8.00 a.m.

Matter does not rest there. Ch. Dharamvir respondent No. 1
G his election agent Pawan Kumar and his supporters threatened,
intimidated and even physically assaulted Shri Sarwan the Return-
ing officer, when the latter directed that 150 to 200 votes of
Congress (I) candidates which had been but up for rejection before
him on account of multiple marking, be not rejected and be
H credited to the Congress (I) candidate. More about it later. How-
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN, J.] 167

ever, this fact also indicate that the double markings defacement A
and mutilation of ballot papers cast in favour of Congress (I)
candidate was done under the inspiration, with the abetment and
consent of Ch. Dharamvir respondent No. l."

(Emphasis supplied)
B
6. Discussing the evidence of the defence, the Court held thus :

"In view of the above discussion, I hold that the agents and
supporter of Ch. Dharamvir respondent No. 1 with his consent and
connivance, put double marks, stamps, seals or thumb impressions C
on the valid ballot papers cast by the electors infavour of Ch. Bansi
Lal, respondents No. 2 and as a result of this double marking, the
ballot papers were rejected. Ch. Dharamvir respondent No. 1 thus,
indirectly interfered with the free exercise of electoral rights of the
electors of 67 Toshan Assembly constituency and he is guilty of D
commission of corrupt practice of undue influence as defined in
Sub-section (2) of Section 123 of the Act. Issue No. 1 is therefore,
decided in favour of the petitioners and against respondent No. 1

I also hold that Ch. Dharamvir, his election agents Shri Pawan
Kumar and his supporters had manhandled and physically as- E

- saulted Shri M.L. Sarwan who is a Gazetted Officer in the service
of the State of Haryana when he (Shri Sarwan) directed that 150
or 200 ballot papers which have been put up before him for
rejection on the ground that they were bore multiple marking, be
counted in favour of the Congress (I) candidate and when he p
refused to entertain the application moved by Ch. Dharamvir,
respondent No. 1, for recount. As a result of this intimidation, Shri
Sarwan, Returning Officer, gave in and begged pardon and
promised that he would do what they wanted and thereafter he
continued initialling the ballot papers which were brought before
him for cancell~tion on the grounds of multiple markings. Thus G
Ch. Dharamvir, respondent No. 1, obtained/procured the assis-
tance of Shri M.L. Sarwan for the furtherance of his election
prospects and he is guilty of the corrupt practice of obtain-
ing/procuring the assistance of a gazetted officer within the mean-
ing of sub section (7) of sections 123 of the Act. Issue No. 2 is H
168 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996] 2 S.C.R.

A thus, decided in favour of the petitioners and against respondent
No. 1.

xx xx xx xx

It is evident from the statement of Shri M.L. Sarwan {PW 9)
B that Part II of more than 50 forms 16 was blank and that the
account of votes counted relating to the polling booths was not
entered therein. The result in Form-20 is tabulated from the entries
in Part 11 of Form-16. Substantial number of these forms did not
have any entries of the votes counted. So, it can safely be held that
the election result in Form-20 had been prepared on the basis of
c imaginary figures and is thus liable to be set aside. Thus issue No.
7 is decided in favour of the petitioners and against respondent
No. l.

{Emphasis supplied)
D 7. On the basis of the above findings. the Court concluded thus:

"...... .I allowed this petition with costs and hold the election of Ch.
Dharamvir respondent No. 1 to the Haryana State legislative
Assembly from 67 Toshan Assembly Constituency to be void and
E set aside they same. I further hold Ch. Dharamvir respondent No.
1 to be disqualified for a period of six years from seeking election
from.the date this order comes into effect. Respondent No. 1 shall
bear the costs of the petitioners, which are assessed at Rs. 5,000."

8. We heard Mr. R.K. Khanna, Advocate, who appeared for the
F appellant and Mr. D.V. Sehgal, Senior Advocate, appeared for the fourth
respondent.

9. The appellant's counsel raised three main pleas. They are: (i) The
various acts of hooliganism and nefarious activities at the time of counting
of the votes, as stated in the election petition, are not true and have not
G been proved; (ii) The statutory provisions relied on section 123{2), section
123(3) or section 100 of the Act may not apply. It is only Section 64-A of
the Act, which is applicable to the facts disclosed in the case; and (iii) The ,
High Court was totally in error in disqualifying the appellant for a period
of six years from seeking election. Under the Statute, the power is vested
H with the President to determine the question as to whether any person
• DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN,J.]

should be disqualified and if so, for what period.
169

A

10. On the other hand, counsel for the respondents submitted his
reply to the above three pleas as hereunder. Counsel for the respondents
urged (i) there is abundant material in the case to show that the
hooliganism and goondaism prevailed during the counting of votes at the B
instance of the appellant and the nefarious and illegal activities alleged in
the election petition stand amply proved by the evidence in the case, more
particularly by the evidence afforded by the responsible officers and con-
temporaneous documents, (ii) Sections 123(2) and 123(7) read with Sec-
tions 100(1) and 135-A(d) amply bring out the various corrupt practices

--· indulged in by the appellant and his henchmen and the High Court was C
justified in holding so, and (iii) It is true that in view of Section 8-A of the
Act (enacted by Act 40of1975 with effect from 6.8.1975), that the question
regarding determination of disqualification is left to the President and the
High Court was not justified in pronouncing on the matter.
D
11. It is common ground that the High Court was not justified in
disqualifying the appellant for a period of six years from seeking election.
Under the Statute, the High Court is incompetent to order disqualification.
Section 8-A of Act 43/51 as amended by Act 40 of 1975 concludes the
matter. On this ground, the finding of the High court that the appellant is
·disqualified from contesting election for a period of six years should be set E
aside. We hereby do so.

12. Now we are concerned only with the first two points urged on
behalf of the appellant. Regarding the first point, we have to say, at the
outset, that the petitioner has stated the details of the various acts of F
hooliganism, threat, intimidation and other nefarious activities that were
indulged in by the appellant and his henchmen at the time of counting of
the votes in paras 7 to 9 of the election petition. As against the positive
case so pleaded by the petitioners in the election petition, the sole defence
put up by the main respondent in the election petition (appellant herein) G
was one of clear denial. In other words, there are no two versions of the
incident. In these circumstances, the only question that arises for con-
sideration is, whether the incident, as alleged by the petitioners in the
election petition, stands proved. The High court has accepted the evidence
tendered by the petitioners in this regard and entered appropriate findings
holding that the appellant and his supporters put double markings, stamps, H
170 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996) 2 S.C.R.

A seals or thumb impressions on the votes cast in favour of respondent No.
• --
4 thereby invalidating the same. The High Court has also held that the
appellant, his agents and supporters manhandled the returning officer
(PW-9) and procured the officers assistance for the furtherance of his
election prospects, the Returning Officer improperly rejected the votes cast
in favour of the fourth respondent and permitted the appellant and his
B supporters to stamp the votes cast in favour of the fourth respondent. The
findings arrived at by the High Court have been extracted by us in para-
graph 3 (supra). The findings so entered are pure findings of fact, based
-.
on appreciation of the oral evidence adduced in the case. The golden rule
to be observed by the appellate court when findings of fact are challenged
C has been succinctly stated by this Court in Sarju Prasad Ramdeo Sahu v.
Jwaleshwali Pratap Narain Singh and Others, AIR (1951) SC 120. Delivering
·the judgment of the Bench, B.K. Mukherjee, J., at page 121 (para 7) stated
the law, thus :

D "The question for our consideration is undoubtedly one of fact, the
decision of which depends upon the appreciation of the oral
evidence adduced in the case. In such cases, the appellate court has
got to bear in mind that it has not the advantage which the trial
Judge had in having the witnesses before him and of observing the
manner in which they deposed in court. This certainly does not
E mean that when an appeal lies on facts, the appellate court is not
competent to reverse a finding of fact arrived at by the trial Judge.
The rnle is and it is nothing more than a rnle of practice that when
there is conflict of oral evidence of the parties on any mater in issue
and the decision hinges upon the credibility of the witnesses, then
F unless there is some special feature about the evidence of a particular
witness which has escaped the trial Judge's notice or there is a
sufficient balance of improbability to displace his opinion as to
where the credibility lies, the appellate court should not interfere
with the finding of the trial Judge on a question of fact : vide Lord
Atkin's observations in WC. Macdonald v. Fred Latimer, AIR 16
G (1929) PC 15 at p. 18): (112 I.C. 375). The gist of the numerous
decisions on the subject was clearly summed up by Viscount
Simon in Watt v. Thomas, (1947) AC 484 at p. 486: (1947-1 All
E.R. 582), and his observations were adopted and reproduced in
extenso by the Judicial Committee in a very recent appeal from
H the Madras High Court: vide Veeraswami v. Talluri Narayya, AIR
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN,J.] 171

36 (1949) PC 32 (ILR 1949 Mad. 487). The observations are as A

- follows:

"But if the evidence as a whole ca~ reasonably be regarded as
justifying the conclusion anjved at the tria4 and especially if,
that conclusion has been ar.ri\'.{ld at on conflicted testimony
by a tribunal which saw and h~ard the witnesses, the appel- B
late court will bear in mind that it has not enjoyed this
opportunity and that the view of the trial Judge as to where
credibility lies is entitled to great weight. This is not to say
that the Judge of first instance can be treated as infallible in
determining which side i~ telling the truth or is refraining C
from exaggeration. Like other tribunals, he may go wrong on
a question of fact, but it is a cogent circumstance that a Judge
on first instance, when estimating the value of verbal tes-
timony, has the advantage (which is denied to courts of
appeal) of having the witnesses before him and observing the
manner in which their evidence is given." D
(Emphasis supplied)

The same principle has been restated in Madhusudan Das v. Smt. Narayani
Bai and Others, AIR 1983 SC 114. This Court observed thus in paragraph E
8 of the jupgment : ·

".......... .it would be right to refer to the general principle that, in
an appeal against a trial court decree, when the appellate court
considers an issue turning on oral evidence it must bear in mind
that it does not enjoy the advantage which the trial Court had in F
having the witnesses before it and of observing the manner in which
they gave their testimony. When there is a conflict of oral evidence
on any matter in issue and its resolution turns upon the credibility
of the witnesses, the general rule is that the appellate court should
permit the findings of fact rendered by the trial court to prevail G
unless it clearly appears that some special feature about the
evidence of a particular witness has escaped the notice of the trial
court or there is a sufficient balance of improbability to displace
its opinion as to where the credibility lies. In this connection,
reference may usefully be made to W.C Macdonald v. Fred
Latimer, AIR (1929) PC 15, 18 whether the Privy council laid down H
A
172 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996) 2 S.C.R.

that when there is a direct conflict between the oral evidence of
the parties, and there is no documentary evidence that clearly
--
affirms one view or contradicts the other, and there is no sufficient
balance of improbability to displace the trial court's findings as to
the truth of the oral evidence, the appellate. court can interfere
only on very clear proof of mistake by the trial court. In Watt v.
B Thomas, (1947) AC 484, 486 it was observed: "......... .it is a cogent
circumstance that a Judge of first instance, when estimating the
value of verbal testimony, has the advantage (which is denied to
courts of appeal) of having the witnesses before him and observing
the manner in which their evidence is given." This was adverted to
c with approval by the Privy Council in Sara Veeraswami v. Tallwi
Narayya (deceased), AIR 1949 PC 32, and found favour with this
Court in Sarju Prashad v. Raja Jwaleshwmi Pratap Narain Singh,
[1950] SCR 781, 783=AIR (1951) SC 120 at p. 121. It seems to us
that this approach should be placed in the forefront in considering
whether the High Court proceeded correctly in the evaluation of
D
the evidence before it when deciding to reverse the findings of the
trial court. The principle is one of practice and governs the weight
to be given to a finding of fact by the trial court.. .... "

13. It will be useful to refer to the relevant statutory provisions relied
E on by the counsel for the parties before we adjudicate as to whether the
findings arrived at by the High Court in any way call for our interference,
The relevant statutory provisions are Sections 64-A(l), lOO(l)(b) and (d),
123(2), 123(7), 123(8) and 135-A of the Act, which read thus :

F "64-A. Destruction loss, etc. of ballot papers at the time of counting
- (1) If at any time before the counting of votes is completed any
ballot papers used at a polling station or at a place fixed for the
poll are unlawfully taken out of the custody of the returning officer
.or are accidentally or intentionally destroyed or lost or are
damaged or tampered with, to such an extent that the result of the
G ~-
poll at that polling station or place cannot be ascertained, the
returning officer shall forthwith report the matter to the Election
Commission.

H
100, Grounds for declaring election to be void - (1) Subject to the
provisions of sub-section (2) if the High Court is of opinion -
-
- (a)
DHARMVIR v. AMARSINGH[PARIPOORNAN,J.]

xx xx xx
173

A
(b) that any corrupt practice has been committed by a returned
candidate or his election agent or any other person with 'the
consent of a returned candidate or his election agent; or

(c) xx xx xx xx B

( d) that the result of the election, in so far as it concerns a returned
candidate, has been materially affected -

(i) by the improper acceptance of any nomination, or
c
.. (ii) by any corrupt practice committed in the interests of the
returned candidate by an agent other than his election agent, or

(iii) by the improper reception, refusal or rejection of any vote or
the reception of any vote which is void, or D
(iv) by an non-compliance with the provisions of the Constitution
or of this Act or of any rules or orders made under this Act, the
High Court shall declare the election of the returned candidate to
be void.
E
123. Corrupt practices - The following shall be deemed to be
corrupt practices for the purpose of this Act : - (1) xx xx

(2) Undue influence, that is to say, any direct or indirect inter-
ference or attempt to interfere on the part of the candidate or his
agent, or of any other person with the consent of the candidate or F
his election agent, with the free exercise of any electoral right.

123(7). The obtaining or procuring or abetting or attempting to
obtain or procure by a candidate or his agent or, by any other
person with the consent of a candidate or his election agent, any G
assistance other than the giving of vote for the furtherance of the
prospects of that candidate's election, from any person' in the
service of the Government and belonging to any of the following
classes, namely :

(a) gazetted officers ; H
174 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1996] 2 S.C.R.

A (b) stipendiary Judges and Magistrates ;

(c) members of the police forces of the Union.

(d) members of the police forces;

B (e) excise officers;

(f) revenue offices other than village revenue officers known as
lambardars, malguzars, patels, desmukhs or by any other
name, whose duty is to collect land revenue and who are
remunerated by a share of, or commission on, the amount of
c land revenue collected by them but who do not discharge any
police functions i and

(g) such other class of persons in the service of the Government
as may be prescribed.
D
123(8). Booth capturing by a candidate or his agent or other
person.

135-A. Offence of booth capturing :_Whoever commits an offence
of booth capturing shall be punishable with imprisonment for a
E terms which shall not be less than six months but which may extend
to two years and with fine, and where such offence is committed
by a person in the service of the Government, he shall be plln.ish-
able with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one
year but which may extend to three years and with fine.
F xx xx xx xx

(d) seizure of a place for counting of votes by any person or
persons, making the counting authorities surrender the ballot
papers or voting machines and the doing of anything which affects
G the orderly counting of votes;

(e) doing by any person in the service of Government, of all or any
of the aforesaid activities or aiding or conniving at, any such activity
in the furtherance of the prospects of the election of a candidate."

H (emphasis supplied)
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN,J.] 175

- 14. We will now take up the first point urged by the appellant's A
counsel to the effect that the various acts of hooliganism and other ,
nefarious activities as alleged in the election petition did not take place and
there is no material to support the said plea. This is the main issue in this
case. Of the five official witnesses, the court below has correctly, in our
view laid stress on the evidence and contemporaneous reports of PW 12
Mr. R.S. Mann, IAS, Secretary, Transport Department, Punjab, who was
B
deputed as Observer of Election Com.mission. PW 12 sent a detailed report
to the Secretary, Election Commission of India dated 21.6.1987 along with
Annexures 1 and 2. Annexure 1 dated 18.6.1987 is a message on phone
from Chief Secretary, Haryana (Chief Electoral Officer) to Mr. R.S. Mann,
camp at Bhiwani. Therein, the report given by Mr. Mann that there were ·c

- scuffle in the morning between the counting agents of Bansi Lal and others
and the counting agents were not allowed entry into the counting hall and
with reference to the information conveyed to the Chief Election Commis-
sioner by Mr. Mann, appropriate directions have been given by the Chief
Electoral officer, have been stated. Annexure II dated 18.6.1987 is a
communication by the Returning Officer (PW 9) to Mr. AC. Saha (RW D
4), Secretary, Election commission intimating abnormal increase of
deliberate cancellation of votes of Congress (I) candidate by various mis-
chievous persons who have marked stamps in their possession and have
been successful in spoiling the ballot papers polled in favour of Congress
(I) candidate. In Annexure II, the Returning Officer also referred to the E
fact that these mischievous and unauthorised acts came to the notice of
Mr. Mann (PW 12) and the Returning _Officer and so a communication

- was sent stating that no free, fair and proper counting of votes can be done.
These two communications are dated 18.6.1987, the day on which the
counting of the votes of the Toshan and Bhiwani Assembly constituencies
took place. Ext. PW 12/1, communication by Mr. R.S. Mann, Observer to F
the Secretary, Election Commission of India, is a very detailed one con-
taining nearly 20 pages (PB 3 p. 43 to 63). The report sent to the Election
Com.mission about the happenings in the counting hall on 18.6.1987 and
19.6.1987 signed by Mr. Mann and exhibited as PW 12/1 was proved when
he was examined as PW 12. When examined as PW 12, Mr. Mann stated G
that he had made notes of what transpired in the counting hall and the
report Ex. PW 12/1 was prepared from the notes. The High Court observed
that "there is sufficient intrinsic evidence in the report of its truthfulness.
It bristles with minute details of the happenings. Such details could not be
conjured up by Mr. Mann. It was sent to the Election Commission shortly
after the declaration of the result and that too in the discharge of his H
176 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1996] 2 S.C.R.

A official duties. Since he had been appointed as Observer by the Election
Commission, Mr. Mann was obliged to send a report about his observations
relating to the election and counting process and the report contains
information regarding the other constituency also. The evidence and the
report of Mr. Mann fully support the version of PWs 10 and 11 regarding
the mutilation and defacing of votes polled in favour of Mr. Bansi Lal,
B respondent No. 2 {PB Vol. 1 p. 65-66). The contents of the report are
revealing. Referring to the counting, Mr. Mann has stated therein that he
was in the hall where counting for Toshan constituency was done and it
was here "that some very dramatic and shocking incidents took place". He
adds that because of the directions received on telephone from the Chjef
C Election Commissioner, he stayed on in the counting hall throughout the
period when counting was taking place and the counting started for the
Toshan constituency at 7.00 a.m. on 18.6.1987 and was over at 8.30 a.m. on
19.6.1987. PW 12 has referred to the fact of complaints made by Congress
-
{I) candidates agents regarding the harassment and intimidation at the
hands of the Lok Dal agents and that a scuffle took place between an
D independent candidate and Lok Dal agents. He has stated further that
some counting agents were forcibly handling the ballot papers and the
warning of the Returning Officer fell into deaf ears, that no counting agent
of the Congress party was present on the various tables and that Lok Dal
candidate's agents were using duplicate seals in their possession to mutilate .
or double mark such of the ballot papers which had been originally marked
E by the voter in favour of the Congress candidate. Though this was brought
to the notice of the returning Officer, he pleaded his helplessness stating
that if a probe is made, it would lead to a very explosive situation. The
report further contains the following statement :

F "........ To our surprise, some time later, from the same table
about which the complaints ·had been made by Shri Dalal, a
constable reported that a seal was lying under one of the chairs.
The Returning Officer immediately proceeded there and
recovered the seal. This seal was actually the rubber fascimile and
the bottom part of the rubber seal without the wooden handle. The
G Returning Officer put the seal in his pocket without taking any
further action. It also appeared at that. stage that the number of
rejected votes was going up constantly and most of the votes were
being rejected on the ground of multiple marking. In the meantime
I had telephonically intimated to the Chief Electoral Officer at
H Chandigarh of the whole situation. Around that time a call came
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN, J.] 177

- from the Chief Election Commissioner himself making enquiries A
about the state of affairs ...... That complaints of harassment of the
counting staff as well as of the Congress counting agents and also
or malpractices like mutilating and marking the ballot papers by
the Lok Dal workers had been received ........ At about 4.50 p.m.
I received a message from the Chief Electoral Officer (original
B
copy enclosed as Annexure I) ............ As I moved round in the
hall. I saw with horror that duplicate seals were being affixed freely
on ballot papers and even thumb impressions were being applied
on the ballot papers. What was more shocking, the counting staff
did not object to it and at one or two places it was clear that the
counting staff was conniving at this. I brought these alarming facts c
to the notice of the Returning Officer who pleaded his complete
helplessness in the matter saying that any action on his part would
invite serious trouble inside the counting hall..... On the arrival of
the Commission's officers, I briefed them about various develop-
ments emphasising that the election agents of the Congress can-
D
didates were absent but were pressing hard to come in and that
major malpractices in the form of multiple - marking in the
counting hall were going on ....... As the counting continued one
could make out that the malpractice noticed earlier were still
continuing and the number of rejected votes kept on becoming
alarmingly larger and larger .......... The S.P. (whose name is Shri E
Sunil Suri and is presently posted in Chandigarh) told the Secretary
that on this particle table he had been with his own eyes that one
of the counting staff was affixing duplicate seals in violation of all
laws ............ He stated that at least fifty seals could be recovered
from the Hall. Shri Suri also started shouting that a mockery was F
being made of the election procedures, frauds were being per-
mitted openly and that if no action was taken, the police force
would feel humiliated and they would rather like to go out... ........ "

Even though the officers of the Election Commission were
patrolling the hall, it seems that the mischievous elements con- G
tinued with their activities of tampering with the ballot papers. This
was possible because the counting staff just turned their face to

..
-~

other side and in some cases, they even joined in this nefarious
plot at about 3.30 a.m. the Returning Officer got fed up with state
of affairs as the things really worsended and the wrote a letter to H
178 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1996) 2 S.C.R.

A Shri Saha, Secretary, Election Commission who was present in the
hall. This letter is annexed in original as Annexure II. In this letter ·
the returning Officer expressed his helplessness in curbing the
malpractices which were gravely harming the Congress candidate
and requested for guidance from the Election Commission's of-
ficers...... He started scrutinising the rejected ballot paper very
B carefully and ruled that nearly 90% to 95% of the votes rejected·
on the grounds of multiple-marking actually were cast in favour of
the Congress and accordingly decided that these votes henceforth
should not be rejected but should be credited to the lot of the
Congress candidate .......... The Returning Officer produced from
c his pocket and seal which had been recovered earlier and told Shri
Dharamvir that he should ask his conscience it is was not a fact that
a larger number of such seals were in the possession of his agents in
the hall and that they were using these seals to tamper with the ballot 4'",
papers. Shri Dharamvir replied that this might be so but there is no
law under which the Returning Officer could treat such ballot
D
papers as valid and then allocate them to the Congress can-
didate ......... Shri Dharamvir and his colleagues held out dire threats
to the Returning officer saying that they had come determined to
leave the hall as winners and they would not allow the Returning ·

E
Officer at any cost to prevent the Lok Dal victory. In the face of
this intimidation, the Returning Officer gave in. ........ I had a
detailed discussion with the officers of the Election Commission
-
to whom I suggested that since malpractices had been indulged in
on a very large scale, it would be very appropriate if before the
Returning Officer declared the result, the entire matter was
reported to the Commission. The Officers of the Election Com-
F
mission opined that this was a matter to be decided by the Return-
ing Officer Only."

(Emphasis supplied)

G Mr. Mann wound up the above by stating thus:
"....... The election ended in a victory for the Lok Dal candidate
by a margin of 2185 votes. The number of rejected votes was

H
around 3800.

From the above narration of facts it would be clear that almost
...
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [PARIPOORNAN,J~] 179

the entire counting was done in an atmosphere of hooliganism, A
coercion and lawlessness. The situation was very poorly handled
by the Returning Officer who completely failed to take effective
steps to curb the malpractices being indulged in openly by the Lok
Dal candidate and others. Not only the number of rejected votes
was exceptionally large but very distinct features of the rejected B
votes were (a) almost 90% of them were rejected on grounds of
multiple marking; and (b) those ballot papers which were rejected
on the ground of multiple-marking had invariably one clear stamp
mark against Congress candidate while the second mark of a thumb
impression or stamp impression was put on one of the several other C
candidates. ........ The Lok Dal candidate was constantly moving
from one table to another carrying whispering conversation giving
a clear impression that whatever was happening had his approval
and was actually being monitored by him. A greater and more
dare-devilish fraud on the electoral process is difficult to imagine.
What is even more shocking is the fact that all this happened in D
the constituency of the C.M. who is otherwise known to be a strong
man."

15. We perused through the depositions of Mr. Mann (PW 12)
contained in PB Vol. II at p. 562 to 568. He has sworn in terms of ex. PW E
12/1 report and the annexures thereto. It is surprising that on various
aspects stated in Ext. PW 12/1 and the two annexures, and the statements
contained in Chief examination about the incident that happened there was
practically no cross examination. It is also relevant to notice that the
statement of PW 12 that the he contacted the Chief Election Officer (Chief p
Secretary) while the counting was going on, as stated in the report was not
questioned or assailed.

16. We are taken through relevant passages from the evidence of PW
8 Mr. Jayprakash Dalal (PB Vol. II at P. 511), PW 9 Mr. M.L. Sharwan G
(PB Vol. II at p. 522 to 544), PW 10 (PB. Vol. III at p. 545 to 550) and
PW 11 (PB Vol. II at p. 551 to 556). On a perusal of the above evidence,
we are satisfied that the discussion of the evidence of PWs 9 , 10, 11 and
12 at p. 42 to 77 of PB Vol. I, and of the defence evidence, in particular
that of RW 4, from p. 80 to 83 (PB Vol. I) and the conclusion of the High
Court that the e~dence of PWs 10, 11 and 12 do not suffer from any H
180 . SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1996] 2 S.C.R.

A inherent infirmity and inspires confidence, whereas the evidence of PW 9 .
as well as RW 4 are not acceptable and lack credibility, is unassailable.
The evidence of PW 9 Returning Officer is contradictory and is at variance
with the evidence of PW 12 and PW 10 and PW 11. in material particulars.
.
The authentic, contemporaneous documents along with the evidence of the
official witness, PWs 10 to 12, are revealing and intrinsically reliable,
B disclosing true state of affairs. What is more, PW 9 was deposing against
his own admission (PW 9/6) and stands self condemned by his own
evidence. Ex. PW 9/6 is a letter by PW 9 to RW 4 (Mr. Saha) at 2.55 a.m.
on 19th, wherein it is stated that abnormal increase of deliberate cancella-
tion of votes of Congress (I) candidate by mischievous COQnting agents, who
C had been making use of the stamps in their possession and had succeeded
in spoiling·the ballot papers in favour of Congress (I) candidate (see PB
Vol. I p. 38 and 69). The other official witness, RW 4 Mr. Saha, is the
Secretary to the Election Commission of India. He reached the place where
counting of votes was· going on, rather late, only at 9.30 p~m. on 18.6,1987,
apprehending trouble or alerted by some complaint or untoward incident,
D which necessitated his proceeding to the place of counting of votes. It is
stated that the Chief Election Commissioner had deputed him orally. He
cannot speak of anything that happened before 9.30 p.m. on 18.6.1987. It
should be noticed that PW 12, in his communication Ex. PW 12/1 dated
21.6.1987, has stated that he had stayed on in the counting hall throughout
E the period when counting was taking place for Toshan Constituency i.e.
From 7.00 a.m. on 18.6.1987 to 8.30 a.nt.. on 19.6.1987. The evidence of
PW 12 would furnish more clinching and adequate material as to what
happened before the arrival of RW 4 Mr. Saha at 9.30 p.m. By this time,
out of 130 polling stations, votes ofonly 18 stations remained to be counted.
RW 4 would say that he filed a report in writing to the Election Commis-
F sion (PB II at p. 693), but the copy of the said report was not available.
This basic contemporaneous document, if produced or available, would
have disclosed facts distinctly and the truth. He recalls the report sub-
mitted by PW 12 Mr. Mann soon after his arrival and would say that soon
after his arrival he had a talk with him and understood that counting was
G suspended for a while. A perusal of the deposition of RW 4 especially at
p. 690, 693 and 694 would go to show that the statement of the witness are
only casual and the witness is not telling the whole truth. We are of the
view that the High Court rightly discarded the evidence of RW 4 in the

H
light of the clinching evidence adduced by PWs 10 to 12. We .are equally
satisfied that the observations against non-acceptance of the testimony of
PW 9 Returning Officer are also justified. The adverse _comments by the
-
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [P ARIPOORNAN, J.] 181

High Court against PW 9 the Returning Officer that he made very crude A
attempt to help the returned candidate (appellant) and it is difficult to
believe an officer belonging to the State Civil Services and of his standing
will be coerced and pressurised to create documentary evidence for success
of an election petition, 'he was trying to get out of the admission in his
report', he is a self-confessed liar', he had himself prep<tred incorrect
reports and ante-dated them and that no reliance can be placed on his B
statement in court are all justified on facts.

17. Now we will take up the second plea, that section 123(2) or
Section 123(7) or Section 100 of the Act, is not applicable to the instant
case. In our view Section 64-A of the Act relied on is inapplicable. The
said section deals with a situation where the counting of votes is not
c
complete and in case the irregularities mentioned therein should occur, the
powers detailed therein can be exercised by the Election Commission. That
section has no application to the present case. We are also satisfied that
Sections 123(2) and 123(7) are inapplicable herein. Prima facie, it appears
to us that Sections 123(2) and 123(7) deal with corrupt practices indulged D
at a stage prior to the casting of the votes. Section 123(2) in terins states
that undue influence, with the free exercise of any electoral right, is a corrupt
practice. Similarly, Section 123(7) refers to a corrupt practice done for the
furtherance of.the prospects of that candidate's election. P1ima facie, these
two sub-section will apply only to pre-voting stage and not post-voting E
stage.

18. Reliance placed on Section lOO(l)(b) read with Sections 123(2),
(7) or (8) and 135-A(d) is also misplaced. Section lOO(l)(d) is a general
provision and does not, in terms, refer to a corrupt or fraudulent act
practised by a candidate of his henchmen at the time of counting of votes F
and its impact on the results of the election. We have held that Section
123(2) or . (7) or (8) are inapplicable. Section 123(g) deals with booth
capturing by a candidate or his agent. The said section was inserted only
with effect from 15.3.1989 - long after the elections and counting in the
instant case were over. So Section 123(8) is inapplicable. Similarly, Section G
135-A(d), which was inserted by Act 1 of 1989 with effect from 15.3.1989,
has no retrospective effect since the election and the counting of votes and
the declaration were over long before the said date.

19. In our view, the provisions of Section lOO(l)(d) of the Act are
clearly attracted on the facts of this case. The findings are to the effect that H
182 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1996) 2 S.C.R.

A during the process of counting, duplicate markings were being put on the
ballot papers which had been cast by the electors in favour of Mr. Bansi
Lal, the Congress (I) candidate and thousands of votes were thus cancelled
and rendered invalid and whatever happened in that behalf was monitored
and approved by the appellant herein. The further finding is that the ballot
1
B papers of the Congress (I) candidate were being double marked, defaced
and mutilated with the abetment, connivance and consent of the appellant
and it was only the appellant who could benefit by the wrongful rejection
of the votes cast by the electors in favour of the fourth respondent. On the
basis of the above finding, we hold that the various acts of hooliganism and
other fraudulent and nefarious acts and activities, as alleged in the election
C petition, against the appellant have been amply proved by the petitioners
in the election petition. We repel the plea to the contra. We also hold that
the result of the election, so far as it concerned the appellant, has been
materially affected by the improper rejection of the votes obtained by the
fourth respondent Congress candidate, attracting Section 100(1)(d) of the
D Act. This is sufficient to hold that the appellant, the returned candidate,
has been guilty of corrupt practice, as rightly held by the High Court. In
the circumstances, the election of the returned candidate, .the appellant,
was rightly held to be void and liable to be set aside. We uphold the
conclusion of the High Court on this point and dismiss the appeal - C.A.
No. 2886/NCE/1989, but on a different basis.
E
20. Subject to the modification contained in paragraph 10 (supra)
regarding the disqualification of the appellant to seek election for a period
of six years, the judgment of the High Court is affirmed. The appeal is
dismissed with costs, quantified at Rs. 10,000.
F
21. In C.A. 2888 of 1989, the appellants are respondents 1 to 3 in
C.A. No. 2886/NCE/_1989. They are the petitioners in the election petition.
They attack the judgment dated 2.6~1989 rendered by the High Court in
Election petition No. 7 of 1987 insofar as the Court declined to order
scrutiny and inspection of the ballot papers and· in failing to declare the
G fourth respondent Mr. Bansi Lal as elected. We are of the view that the
High Court was justified in holding the above two aspects against the
appellants in this appeal. The High Court has stated rightly, in our view,
that since it has been found that the votes cast in favour of the fourth
respondent Mr. Bansi Lal have been double-marked, defaced or mutilated
H resulting in their cancellation, no flirther useful purpose would be served
DHARMVIR v. AMAR SINGH [P ARIPOORNAN, J.] 183

by inspection and scrutiny of. the ballot papers. The High Court has also A
held that the scrutiny cannot conclusively determine as to which ballot
papers had been initially marked in favour of which candidate. So also, the
High Court held that on the basis of the evidence, a finding cannot be
entered that in fact the fourth respondent Mr. Bansi Lal received a
majority of the valid votes and so, the prayer for declaring Mr. Bansi Lal B
as elected cannot be granted. On both the counts, we concur with the
decision of the high Court. We, therefore, hold that there is no merit in
the appeal - C.A. No. 2888 of 1989. The said appeal is dismissed, but
without costs.

22. Lastly, we will deal with S.L.P. No. 12196 of 1989. This petition C
seeking special leave is filed by Mr. M.L sarwan, PW 9, who was the
Returning Officer in the election to the Haryana Assembly held in June
1987 for the 67-Toshan Legislative Assembly seat. He was not a party in
the High Court. He was only a witness (PW 9). The role played by him
during the counting of votes and the statements made by him in Court had
to be evaluated in the light of other clinching evidence disclosed in the case D
and in so evaluating the evidence as a whole, the High Court had occasion ·
to make some strictures and observations against this witness. The plea is
that the High Court was unjustified in making the said adverse observa-
tions. We have dealt with this matter while dealing with the main appeal -
C.A. No. 2886 of 1989 - and had occasion to fully concqr with the obser- E
vations made by the High Court in that regard. For the reasons stated
therein, we dismiss the special leave petition - S.L.P. (C) No. 12196of1989
- but without costs.

23. The appeals and the special leave petition are disposed of, as
~~ F
v.s.s. Appeal dismissed.