Patiala Municipal Elections: Congress Ups The Ante After SC Appointed Fact-Finding Committee Report Becomes Public

Patiala, August 19: Congress leader and former President of Punjab Youth Congress Mohit Mohindra today said that the public release of the report of the Supreme Court-constituted fact-finding committee into the Patiala Municipal Corporation election matter has brought important issues concerning the conduct of the electoral process into the public domain.

Addressing a press conference in Patiala, Mohit Mohindra said that the events surrounding the nomination process on August 12, 2025, had raised serious questions about the right of candidates to participate in the democratic process. He said that the Congress had approached the State Election Commission and subsequently the High Court after its candidates allegedly faced difficulties in filing their nomination papers, before the matter was taken to the Supreme Court.

He said the Supreme Court subsequently constituted a fact-finding committee headed by Justice (Retd.) Nirmaljit Kaur to examine the matter. The committee examined statements and material placed before it, including submissions from candidates and petitioners, police and administrative officials, official videography, CCTV footage and other evidence.

*“The fact that the Supreme Court considered it necessary to constitute a fact-finding committee in this matter itself underlines the seriousness of the issues that had been raised. We deliberately waited for the committee’s report before responding in detail because we are accountable to the people of Patiala and wanted to place the facts before them responsibly,”* Mohit Mohindra said.

He said the committee’s report, which was submitted to the Supreme Court on November 18, 2025, should now be examined carefully and its findings acted upon in accordance with law. However, he clarified that the committee's report cannot be considered the final verdict of the Supreme Court. The final decision regarding the action the court takes and whose accountability is established is awaited.

Mohit Mohindra said that the issue was not merely about an election contest or any individual candidate, but about the integrity of the electoral process and the constitutional right of eligible candidates to contest elections.

He further said that the material considered by the committee reportedly included statements of SSPs, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Returning Officers and other officials, along with video and CCTV evidence. He said that where the report identifies specific officials or individuals whose conduct requires examination, appropriate legal and departmental proceedings should follow in accordance with due process.

*“The democratic right to contest an election cannot depend on administrative discretion. Every candidate, irrespective of political affiliation, must have equal protection under the law. The credibility of our municipal institutions depends upon the credibility of the process through which they are elected. The electoral process cannot be allowed to become vulnerable to administrative interference. Government machinery, and police must remain neutral during elections. If the evidence establishes that any official exceeded their lawful authority or interfered with the electoral process, accountability must follow,”* he said.

Mohit Mohindra also said that questions surrounding the nomination process cannot be separated from the larger functioning of the Patiala Municipal Corporation. He pointed out that the Corporation is directly responsible for issues affecting residents every day, including drinking water, sewerage, water supply, sanitation, streetlights, roads and other civic services.

*“People of Patiala expect their elected representatives and institutions to focus on basic civic amenities and the development of the city. Democratic institutions can function effectively only when elections are conducted transparently and every legitimate candidate is given a fair opportunity to participate,”* he said. *

Mohit Mohindra said the Supreme Court’s final decision would be respected, while stressing that the proceedings have wider implications for electoral administration. He added that the matter would continue to be pursued through the appropriate constitutional and legal channels until the Supreme Court delivers its final decision.

(He thanked Congress workers, candidates, petitioners, the legal team, senior party leaders and members of the media who followed the matter and participated in the legal process. He specifically acknowledged the contribution of Patiala MP Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, K.P. Sahib, Senior Advocate Vivek Jain and the party’s legal team in pursuing the matter before the courts.)