HARISINGH PRATAPSINGH CHAWDA vs POPATLAL MULSHANKER JOSHI & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's finding that the payment of Rs. 10,000 and the promise to build a hostel for Kshatriya students did not constitute an electoral offense under Section 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act. The Court clarified that the inducement was aimed at inducing defection rather than directly influencing votes, thus not violating election laws. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision that the actions did not amount to bribery as defined in the statute.