📰
HC Reviews Chaos in Nainital Elections
The Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged kidnapping of five district Panchayat members on the day of the Nainital District Panchayat chairperson and vice-chairperson elections held on August 14. While the court continues to examine the law-and-order situation surrounding the polls, the results of the elections have already been declared, leading to heightened political debate in the region. After the hearing, the court has summoned the state’s DGP and Home Secretary. The next hearing of the case will also be held tomorrow on August 20.
📅 19 August 2025
📍 Uttarakhand, India
✍ Edited by Vaibhav Joshi — Editor, Navin Samachar English
Election Results: BJP Wins Chairperson Post, Congress Takes Vice-Chairperson by Lottery
According to the official declaration, BJP-supported candidate Deepa Devi Darmwal has been elected as the new Chairperson of Nainital District Panchayat, defeating Congress-supported Pushpa Negi by a narrow margin of one vote (11-10).
In a dramatic twist, the election for the vice-chairperson ended in a 10-10 tie. As per election rules, the result was decided through a lottery system, in which Congress-supported Devki Bisht emerged victorious. The election officer, Dr. D.C. Joshi, handed over the certificate of victory to the newly elected Chairperson Deepa Devi.
High Court Questions Law and Order During Elections
The division bench of Chief Justice G. Narendra and Justice Subhash Upadhyay is monitoring the law-and-order issues connected with the elections. The court is hearing not only the suo motu petition but also other petitions filed by Congress-supported candidate Pushpa Negi and member Poonam Bisht, who have demanded re-polling due to alleged irregularities. After the hearing, the court has summoned the state’s DGP and Home Secretary. The next hearing of the case will also be held tomorrow on August 20.
During the hearing, Nainital SSP P.N. Meena appeared in person and submitted his affidavit. He informed the court that while intelligence reports had suggested the possibility of political interference from outsiders, there was no prior specific input regarding criminal elements entering the district. He admitted that a suspicious car entered the area around midnight but was seized on August 16 or 17. Police investigations are underway, including the analysis of CCTV footage from local hotels, and action is being taken on six registered FIRs.
The SSP further revealed that 14 suspects have been identified, including individuals from Haldwani and Rampur (Uttar Pradesh). He assured the court that police are closing in on those who disrupted the election process and promised to file an additional affidavit soon.
High Court’s Tough Questions for Police and Administration
The court expressed dissatisfaction over the police response. It asked why intelligence agencies failed to prevent outsiders from interfering in the elections. The bench demanded clarity on the role of the SP-Intelligence, who, according to the SSP, operates from Haldwani and is not under his direct control.
The bench also questioned the alleged involvement of local gangs from Haldwani’s ITI area, reportedly seen in viral CCTV footage wielding weapons and using abusive language near the election venue. The court noted that such activities posed a direct threat to democratic processes.
The High Court has directed the DGP of Uttarakhand, the SSP of Udham Singh Nagar, and other senior officials to appear in court on the next date of hearing. It has also sought a detailed report from the District Magistrate of Nainital regarding the entire election process.
Previous Hearings and Petitions
Earlier, on August 18, the High Court had heard extensive arguments regarding the alleged abduction of five panchayat members. Although the five members later appeared in court and claimed they had left voluntarily, questions about their sudden disappearance before voting remain unresolved.
Congress’s counsel argued that the counting of votes was conducted in violation of rules, and demanded re-polling to ensure free and fair elections. However, the court clarified that it would only focus on the criminal aspects of the case, leaving election-related disputes to the State Election Commission.
The District Magistrate, Vandana Singh, has already submitted her affidavit, stating that there was no provision for re-polling under the Panchayat Election Rules, and hence the results were declared.
What Lies Ahead
The case has now been listed for further hearing on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, when top state police officials are expected to present their reports. The High Court’s scrutiny of the alleged kidnapping, law-and-order lapses, and external interference is likely to determine not just accountability but also the credibility of panchayat elections in Uttarakhand.
Read the Original Hindi Coverage
📌 For the full Hindi version with local photos, visit our Navin Samachar Hindi report.
Join Our Community
📲 Be part of conversations that go beyond headlines. Join our English News WhatsApp Group for exclusive stories, insightful perspectives, and events that matter. Click here to join.
HC Reviews Chaos in Nainital Elections
Navin Samachar
At Navin Samachar, our mission is to bring you news that truly matters — stories that touch lives, inspire conversations, and shed light on the reality around us. We believe news is more than just headlines; it is a window into the events shaping our communities, culture, and future.
Our dedicated team, led by Editor Vaibhav Joshi, strives to deliver accurate, well-researched, and thought-provoking reports in both Hindi and English, ensuring readers from all walks of life can stay informed. Whether it’s local incidents, national developments, or global affairs, our aim is to present every detail with clarity, depth, and integrity. We also invite our readers to join our WhatsApp community for English news updates, where you can receive daily highlights and breaking stories directly on your phone.
Tags
HC Reviews Chaos in Nainital Elections, Uttarakhand High Court, Nainital Panchayat Election, Nainital District Panchayat Results, BJP Candidate Wins Chairperson, Congress Candidate Wins Vice-Chairperson, Panchayat Election Controversy, Alleged Kidnapping of Panchayat Members, Nainital Law and Order, Uttarakhand Panchayat Politics, Deepa Devi Darmwal, Pushpa Negi, Devki Bisht, Nainital SSP P.N. Meena, Nainital DGP Summoned, Panchayat Election Re-Poll Demand, Uttarakhand Panchayat News, Latest Nainital News, Uttarakhand Political News, Vaibhav Joshi, Vaibhav Joshi Nainital,
Discover more from Navin Samachar
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a Reply