VASHIST NARAIN SHARMA vs DEV CHANDRA AND OTHERS.

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 100(1)(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, clarifying that the phrase 'the result of the election has been materially affected' requires proof that improper acceptance or rejection of a nomination paper would have changed the election outcome, rather than mere speculation. The Court held that the Election Tribunal's decision, based on conjecture rather than concrete evidence, was erroneous and set aside the Tribunal's order, reinstating the election result.