The Supreme Court has directed that fresh elections be held in three municipal councils in Punjab within six weeks, following allegations of irregularities and bias during the 2024 general elections. The court’s observations on the role of officials involved in the electoral process have also raised the possibility of action against the concerned election and police personnel.
 

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant made significant observations regarding government officials involved in conducting the elections. During the hearing, the counsel representing the petitioners brought to the Chief Justice’s attention that a report submitted by an inquiry commission had also raised concerns about the role of election officials and police personnel deployed at the time.
 

Responding to the submission, the Chief Justice reportedly observed that the inquiry commission’s report, which had earlier been pending, had now been accepted and that action against the officials would also have to be considered.
 

Although the Supreme Court has not specifically ordered the dismissal of any officials, the observations and the accepted inquiry report have brought the question of accountability into focus. The Punjab government may have to consider appropriate action against personnel involved in the earlier election process in light of the court’s directions.
 

The controversy relates to the 2024 general elections in three municipal councils — Patiala, Dharamkot and Baghapurana. Opposition parties had approached the Supreme Court, alleging intimidation and bias during the polls.
 

In view of the serious allegations, the Supreme Court constituted an inquiry commission headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nirmaljit Kaur to examine the matter.
 

Following the commission’s report, the Supreme Court has now ordered fresh elections in all three municipal councils and directed the government to complete the electoral process within six weeks.
 

Sohan Singh Khela, former president of the District Youth Congress, said that if the state government failed to take action against personnel involved in the previous elections, he would approach the higher judiciary again.