New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to lift its stay on the counting of votes for the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) elections amid allegations of ballot tampering, and directed the Delhi High Court to hear the matter on May 25.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi rejected a plea seeking modification of the apex court’s May 18 order that had halted the counting process.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing in the matter, urged the court to permit completion of counting while withholding declaration of results until further orders of the high court. He argued that ballot papers were lying scattered, raising concerns over possible tampering.

The bench, however, refused to alter its earlier direction, observing that serious issues had been raised regarding the conduct of the BCD elections.

Taking note of the urgency, the apex court requested the Delhi High Court chief justice to list the matter before a division bench on Monday, May 25, and allowed all parties to advance their submissions there.

Earlier on May 18, the Supreme Court had stayed the counting of votes after allegations surfaced that tampered ballot papers were allegedly being included in the process.

The top court had also transferred the matter to the Delhi High Court and asked the HC chief justice to constitute a special bench for day-to-day hearing of the dispute.

The bench noted that it had received a sealed communication from former Delhi High Court judge Talwant Singh concerning the election process and ordered that the document be resealed and forwarded to the high court chief justice.

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The Supreme Court clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the allegations but ordered maintenance of status quo by keeping the counting process in abeyance until the Delhi High Court passes a final decision.