SOMNATH RATH vs BIKRAM K. ARUKH

The Supreme Court examined the dismissal of an election petition challenging the election of respondent No. 1, focusing on the improper rejection of the nomination paper of respondent No. 7, Panchanan Das. The Court held that the rejection was illegal as being a PDS dealer does not disqualify a candidate under the relevant election laws. Consequently, the Court ruled that the election of the returned candidate was void due to this improper rejection, thereby allowing the appeal.