Harsh vs Manu in HP High Court, Next Hearing on ...
Shimla, Jan 8, 2026
The legal battle over the controversial Rajya Sabha election in Himachal Pradesh is set to continue, with the High Court fixing March 10 for the next hearing in the petition challenging the election of senior Congress leader and Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
The petition, filed in connection with the tight contest between BJP’s Harsh Mahajan and Congress candidate Manu Singhvi, questions the validity of declaring a winner through the “slip system” after the election ended in a tie. The case is being heard by Justice Bipin Chandra Negi.
On Wednesday, Singhvi, who is a petitioner in the matter, filed a rejoinder in response to the reply submitted by the respondent. The court has already framed issues in the case. The matter will now proceed to the stage of arguments and recording of evidence.
Singhvi has challenged a specific provision of the election rules that allows drawing of lots when the contest ends in a tie. According to him, the rule’s interpretation and application are legally flawed and violate democratic principles.
It may be recalled that the Rajya Sabha election had witnessed a dramatic turn when both candidates secured an equal number of votes, forcing the authorities to invoke the “lottery” method to declare a winner. Harsh Mahajan eventually emerged victorious through the draw of slips, triggering legal and political controversy.
With the High Court already framing key issues, the upcoming hearing is expected to be crucial in determining whether the slip system stands the test of constitutional scrutiny or faces judicial intervention.