Tue Jun 24 23:31:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Bombay High Court Upholds BJP MLA Gavit’s 2024 Election Victory**

**Mumbai, June 25, 2025** – The Bombay High Court has dismissed an election petition seeking to overturn the 2024 State Assembly election victory of BJP MLA Rajendra Dhedya Gavit from the 130-Palghar-ST Assembly Constituency. Justice Sandeep V. Marne, presiding over the case, ruled that the petition, filed by voter and social activist Sudhir Brijendra Jain, lacked sufficient evidence of corrupt practices and material facts as required by the Representation of People Act, 1951.

The core of Jain’s challenge centered on Gavit’s declaration of “Spouse No. 2,” Rupali Gavit, in his Form-26. The petitioner argued that this declaration was false and violated election rules, constituting improper acceptance of nomination and corrupt practice. Advocate Neeta Karnik, representing Jain, argued that Rupali Gavit could not be considered a legally wedded wife and that the addition of a “second spouse” column in Form-26 was an unauthorized alteration, potentially influencing tribal voters.

MLA Gavit’s legal team, led by advocate Nitin Gangal, countered that the disclosure was truthful and that adding the column could not invalidate the election. Gangal emphasized that Gavit belongs to the Bhil tribal community, where polygamy is a customary practice, exempting him from the Hindu Marriage Act. He also argued that the petition failed to prove the alleged non-compliance materially affected the election result.

Justice Marne sided with Gavit, emphasizing that the petition itself acknowledged the existence of the second marriage. The court further stated that an election petition demands strict adherence to the law and that the plaintiff had failed to show improper acceptance of nomination or a violation of election rules. The judge dismissed the claim, upholding Gavit’s 2024 victory.

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