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Rai Challenges Modi’s Varanasi Win, Questions Vote Counts

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 4:17 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ajay Rai Accuses Modi

Congress leader Ajay Rai accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of winning Varanasi through electoral malpractice.
Rai said Modi trailed for seven counting rounds before the Election Commission halted updates at 12 PM.
The Election Commission announced Modi’s victory at 7 PM, prompting Rai to question the electoral process.
Rai warned Varanasi voters would punish the BJP in future elections.

Summary

Gaurav Bhatia Complains

The Supreme Court set a hearing on the assault allegation for October 26, after the Dussehra recess.
Senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia filed a complaint alleging Gandhi’s security personnel forced journalist Richa Parashar’s fall.
Richa Parashar, three months pregnant and working for OneIndia, was hospitalized after being pushed.
The court ordered preservation of CCTV, access-control logs, entry passes and visitor records from October 12 Supreme Court precincts.
The petition requests Delhi Police file an FIR under Sections 74, 115(2), 131 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Summary

Supreme Court Notices EC

Supreme Court issued notice to the Election Commission and its three commissioners on Rahul Gandhi’s SIR petition.
The petition, filed Oct 12 and registered Oct 13, fixed fourteen procedural defects, including a INR220 fee shortfall.
Petitioners seek an independent, time-bound audit of deletions by a retired Supreme Court judge and technical experts.
The court noted about 13 crore voters removed nationwide; Maharashtra’s 20,688,487 (21.14%) ASDDO placements prompted a state-wise hearing request.

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Ajay Rai Accuses Modi

Congress leader Ajay Rai accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of winning Varanasi through electoral malpractice.
Rai said Modi trailed for seven counting rounds before the Election Commission halted updates at 12 PM.
The Election Commission announced Modi’s victory at 7 PM, prompting Rai to question the electoral process.
Rai warned Varanasi voters would punish the BJP in future elections.

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