SC rejects Karnataka Legislative Council Deputy Speaker’s petition against recounting of votes

MK Pranesh was elected as MLC by a narrow winning margin of six votes. File | Photo credit: K. Murali Kumar

The Supreme Court on Thursday (July 16) dismissed an appeal by Pranesh MK, Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, challenging the Karnataka High Court’s direction on the recount of votes polled in the 2021 Council elections.

Mr. Pranesh was elected MLC by a narrow winning margin of six votes.

The appeal was heard by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, part of the Bench along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi pronounced the verdict.

The apex court’s order on January 29 last year was based on a petition filed by Mr Pranesh’s rival and Congress candidate AV Gayathri Shanthe Gowda.

The Supreme Court reserved the appeal against the decision on March 11 of this year. The judgment has not yet been uploaded to the Supreme Court website.

Meanwhile, celebrations broke out at Ms Gowda’s Chikkamagaluru residence on Thursday, minutes after news broke that the Supreme Court had dismissed Mr Pranesh’s appeal, challenging the election result.

Published – 17 July 2026 04:00 IST