Devendra Patel vs Ram Pal Singh & Ors

The Supreme Court held that Jaswant Singh, whose nomination was rejected due to disqualification, does not qualify as a 'candidate' under Section 79(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Consequently, he is not required to be joined as a party respondent in the election petition under Section 82(b) concerning allegations of corrupt practices. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision to overrule the objection regarding non-joinder, emphasizing that a person whose nomination is rejected cannot claim to be duly nominated.