The Karnataka High Court on February 16 declared S.N. Subba Reddy’s election from Bagepalli constituency invalid. The court found he made a false declaration by stating “nil” tax dues while owing ₹1.3 crore in property tax arrears since 2018. Justice M.G.S. Kamal called this a “corrupt practice” under Section 123(2) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951. The court said, “False statement or a false declaration, that too made on oath, inherently carries with it corrupt, deceitful, dishonest and fraudulent intent.” Due to the verdict, Mr. Reddy is no longer an MLA unless the Supreme Court stays this decision. The High Court rejected his request to delay the verdict so he could appeal. Besides hiding tax arrears, Mr. Reddy failed to disclose income sources and details of his businesses, including R and R Bar and Restaurant, Bhagini Residency, Srinivasa Wines, Bhagini Palace, and a wholesale liquor concern. He also did not reveal business details run by his wife. The court noted that some land was undeclared or mislabeled as agricultural land, although it was converted for non-agricultural use before filing nomination papers. “Merely because Mr. Reddy owns and possesses assets worth several hundred crores cannot be the reason to condone or exempt the mandatory requirement of true and full disclosure,” the court stated. It added, “Declaring dues as ‘nil’ when indeed they are due and liable to be paid impacts the election process.” Meanwhile, the court declined to declare defeated BJP candidate C. Muniraju as the winner. It said it cannot assume all votes from Mr. Reddy’s margin would go to Mr. Muniraju given there were 13 other candidates. The case highlights the court’s firm stand against corrupt election practices and enforcement of full asset disclosure by candidates.