The Supreme Court on Monday transferred a batch of petitions challenging the conduct of the Bar Council of Delhi elections to the Delhi High Court, observing that effective adjudication of the dispute may require examination of original records, including ballot papers and other election material.

A bench comprising of Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Jyomalya Bagchi hearing the matter noted that multiple representations had been made alleging irregularities in the conduct of the Bar Council elections, along with challenges to decisions of the High-Powered Supervisory Committee constituted to oversee the electoral process.

After hearing submissions, the bench observed that a meaningful adjudication would likely necessitate scrutiny of original election records, making the Delhi High Court the appropriate forum to consider the dispute.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court requested the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to place the transferred matters before an appropriate division bench within the same week for urgent hearing and disposal. The Court emphasised that the matter should be taken up on priority and directed all parties to extend full cooperation to facilitate expeditious adjudication.

To preserve the integrity of the process, the Court directed that the custody of ballot papers and related election records be maintained pending further proceedings before the High Court.

The bench clarified that it had expressed no opinion on the merits of the allegations, leaving all contentions open for consideration by the Delhi High Court.

The Court also took note of a confidential letter dated May 2 from Justice Talwant Singh. Without disclosing the contents of the communication at this stage, the bench directed that the letter be forwarded to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court for necessary action.