Chandigarh, November 12, 2026: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chandigarh today staged a strong protest outside the BJP office ‘Kamalem’ against the alleged lack of effective legal and administrative action against Anil Masih in connection with the alleged manipulation of votes during the 2024 Chandigarh Mayoral elections. The protest was led by AAP Chandigarh State President Vijaypal Singh. Raising slogans, party leaders and workers questioned the delay in fixing accountability and taking further legal action despite the landmark verdict of the Supreme Court of India.
The controversy relates to the Chandigarh Mayoral elections held on January 30, 2024, in which AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar contested against BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar. Following the polling, Returning Officer Anil Masih declared eight votes cast in favour of Kuldeep Kumar invalid. On this basis, Manoj Sonkar was declared the winner with 16 votes against Kuldeep Kumar’s 12. The opposition alliance subsequently raised serious objections, alleging that ballot papers had been tampered with during the counting process and that the democratic mandate had been deliberately undermined.
AAP had lodged a complaint against Anil Masih at the Sector 17 Police Station on January 31, 2024, demanding appropriate action. Subsequently, alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court and, after failing to obtain immediate relief, moved the Supreme Court. On February 5, 2024, the Supreme Court took cognisance of the video recording of the election proceedings, directed that the relevant documents and ballot papers be preserved, and sought an explanation from Anil Masih regarding his conduct.
On February 20, 2024, a three-judge bench headed by then Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud delivered a landmark judgment, validating all eight votes that had been declared invalid. The Supreme Court set aside the victory of BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar and declared Kuldeep Kumar the duly elected Mayor of Chandigarh with 20 votes, against Sonkar’s 16. The Court also raised serious concerns over the statements made by Anil Masih and directed the issuance of a show-cause notice for proceedings under Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). In April 2024, Anil Masih also tendered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court.
AAP leaders said that the party had not restricted its efforts to political protests but had consistently pursued the matter through legal and constitutional channels. In September 2026, AAP Chandigarh In-charge Jarnail Singh announced further steps to seek an early hearing before the Supreme Court and appropriate legal action against Anil Masih. Subsequently, on October 15, 2026, a delegation led by AAP Chandigarh State President Vijaypal Singh submitted a formal complaint to the Director General of Police (DGP), Chandigarh. The delegation included Prem Garg, Chairman of the Core Committee; Omkar Singh Aulakh, General Secretary; Hardeep Singh Buterla, Leader of Opposition in the Municipal Corporation; and Yogesh Dhingra, Chief Spokesperson. The delegation demanded registration of an FIR against Anil Masih, an independent and impartial criminal investigation, and appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The party also highlighted objections reportedly raised by the Indian Audit and Accounts Department in October 2026. The audit department had reportedly questioned the Municipal Corporation over the lack of clarity regarding departmental action against Anil Masih despite the Supreme Court’s judgment. According to the report, the audit department had also sought clarification regarding action under Section 33(2) of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. The Municipal Corporation reportedly stated that the matter was under consideration before the higher authorities. AAP leaders said that when the country’s highest court had already delivered its verdict and the government audit department had also raised questions over the delay, the administration must publicly clarify the action taken so far and the next steps in the matter.
Addressing the protesters, Vijaypal Singh said that what happened during the Chandigarh Mayoral elections was not merely an electoral dispute but a serious issue concerning the rights of voters and the fairness of the electoral process. He said the Supreme Court had validated all eight votes and declared the actual election result, while also raising serious judicial concerns over the conduct of the Returning Officer. Despite this, the lack of clarity regarding legal and administrative action raises serious questions about accountability.
He emphasised that AAP’s demand was not driven by political vendetta against any individual but was aimed at ensuring an impartial investigation, action in accordance with the law, and preserving public confidence in democratic institutions. Citizens have every right to know what action has been taken on the police complaint, the present status of the departmental inquiry, and the progress of the judicial proceedings.
AAP Chandigarh demanded that the authorities publicly disclose the action taken on the complaints previously submitted against Anil Masih; take an appropriate decision on the complaint submitted to the DGP and act on the demand for registration of an FIR and an impartial investigation; clarify the present status of the judicial proceedings in light of the Supreme Court’s directions; and take a decision regarding Anil Masih’s position as a nominated councillor in the Municipal Corporation, along with the status of departmental proceedings. The party maintained that accountability must be fixed at every level and that the administration cannot continue to evade clear answers.
Among those present at the protest were AAP Chandigarh General Secretary Omkar Singh Aulakh; Ajit (Sports Person); Tarsem Mittal, Vice President, Trade Wing; Jagpal Jagga, Rural President; Councillor Anju Katy al; Leader of Opposition Hardeep Singh Buterla; Vikrant A. Tanwar, State Media In-Charge; former Mayor Kuldeep Jaural; Deepa Dubey; Treasurer J.D. Ghai; Core Committee Chairman Prem Garg; Disciplinary Committee Chairman P.P. Ghai; Ajit, Spokesperson; Lalit Mohan; Rohit; Krishna; Shadab Rathi and several other senior party leaders and workers.
AAP Chandigarh reiterated that it would continue to raise the issue through democratic, political and legal channels. The party asserted that the people’s mandate is supreme in a democracy and that no compromise with the fairness and integrity of the electoral process can be accepted.
