KANTI PRASAD JAYSHANKER YAGNIK vs PURSHOTTAMDAS RANCHHODDAS PATEL AND OTHERS

The Supreme Court held that the speeches made by S.M. constituted corrupt practices under Sections 123(2) and (3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as they appealed to voters on the basis of religion and caste. The Court found the reports made by police constables admissible under Section 160 of the Evidence Act, 1872, affirming that the conditions for admissibility were met. The appellant was found guilty of corrupt practices due to his association with the speeches and failure to dissociate himself from the remarks made during the campaign.