The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the Rajasthan High Court order on local body elections. The apex court upheld the timeline fixed by the High Court for conducting the polls.
A bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi heard the matter on December 19. The court dismissed a petition that challenged the delimitation process and the appointment of administrators. It maintained the High Court’s direction to hold elections to panchayati raj institutions and municipalities by April 15, 2026.
Congress leader Sanyam Lodha had filed the petition. He questioned the legality of delaying elections after the completion of the local bodies’ tenure. He also challenged the continuation of administrators. The plea cited constitutional provisions under Articles 243E and 243U. It argued that elections must follow immediately after a term ends. It also said delimitation cannot justify postponement.
Senior advocate Gaurav Agrawal appeared for the petitioner. The state government opposed the plea. Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma and Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj represented the state.
The government told the court it remains committed to conducting elections within the High Court’s deadline. It said the process is already underway. The state warned that judicial intervention could disrupt delimitation, voter lists, and reservation rosters. It also cautioned against administrative uncertainty across Rajasthan.
