No Bombay High Court relief for candidates disqualified over procedural lapses

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to grant any relief to a bunch of petitions filed by candidates whose nomination forms were rejected because of non-compliance of certain procedures.

"The Election process has begun and it would not be possible for this court to interfere. If at all, the petitioners seek any form of relief they can move an election petition before the appropriate court," said a division bench of justices V M Kanade and P D Kode.

The petitions included that of corporator Changez Multani, who wanted to contest as an independent candidate, Shiv Sena leader Rajul Patel from Versova seat and Kuldeep Pednekar of Byculla constituency.

The petitioners contended that they are illiterate and it was the duty of the returning officer to ensure that proper compliance was done. However, Government Pleader Dhariyasheel Nalawade countered it, saying that it was the candidates' responsibility to appear before the poll official with necessary documents. In some cases, the candidates were not even present, he said.