The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court rejected Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) MLA Amol Khatal’s plea to dismiss an election petition filed by Indian National Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat. Justice Kishore Sant’s bench will now proceed with the trial. Thorat contested Khatal’s election citing the non-disclosure of income sources and tax obligations in his election affidavit. Thorat, represented by advocates R. M. Dhorde and Amit Karande, seeks a declaration to void Khatal’s election from the 217-Sangamner Assembly Constituency, held on November 23, 2024, under specific sections of the Representation of the People Act. The election petition will be heard on May 7 after Khatal’s application to dismiss Thorat’s plea was turned down. Several election petitions were filed post the Maharashtra parliamentary and assembly elections, with most being dismissed after winning candidates moved for their rejection. Thorat alleged Khatal’s association with a firm named Nilkamal and highlighted pending professional tax dues, not disclosed by Khatal in his affidavit. Khatal argued that he is no longer part of the firm, which has been dissolved. However, the bench considered the firm’s active status on the GST website, stating that Khatal’s defense does not hold at this stage. The court found the situation falling under Section 100(1)(b) of the RP Act, which addresses grounds for voiding an election.