CHARAN LAL SAHU vs NANDKISHORE BHATT & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of an election petition under Section 117 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for failure to deposit the mandatory security of Rs. 2000. The Court clarified that the provisions of Section 117 are mandatory and that the High Court lacks discretion to reduce or dispense with the security deposit. The Court emphasized that non-compliance with statutory requirements leaves no option but to reject the petition, affirming the necessity of adhering to the terms of the statute for challenging an election.