New Delhi: The Supreme Court rejected the petition filed by Solar case accused Saritha S Nair challenging the electoral victory of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

The Supreme Court had dismissed the same petition earlier during the tenure of SA Bobde as the chief justice of Supreme court. The petition was rejected citing frequent absence of Saritha’s lawyer while considering the case. However, Saritha requested to reconsider the petition by pointing out that her lawyer faced technical glitches in attending the court proceedings via video conference. The Supreme Court accepted this demand and reconsidered the petition under merit on Friday. However, the court rejected the plea. 

The nomination filed by Saritha to contest in the Wayanad Lok Sabha election was discarded under Section 8 (3) of People’s Representation Act. According to this provision, the nomination submitted by a candidate who received imprisonment of at least 2 years under a criminal case can be cancelled. 

The Perumbavoor Judicial First Class Magistrate Court had awarded 3 years jail term and Rs 10,000 fine for Saritha Nair in the solar scam case. In another case, Pathanamthitta Judicial First Class Magistrate Court had imposed a fine of Rs 45 lakh against Saritha. 

Saritha had filed a petition in the Supreme Court questioning the cancellation of her nomination.