79 Mumbai corporators face scrutiny over election affidavits after ex-mayor's ouster
Following ex-mayor Vishakha Raut's disqualification, 79 Mumbai corporators face election petitions over alleged irregularities in caste certificates and election affidavits.
After ex-mayor Vishakha Raut’s disqualification over a caste certificate issue, the elections of 79 of Mumbai’s 227 municipal corporators are facing legal scrutiny over alleged discrepancies in caste certificates, election affidavits and non-disclosure of criminal and financial details.
According to information obtained under the Right to Information Act by civic activist Anil Galgali from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), election petitions have been filed against victorious candidates from several major political parties following the 2026 BMC elections.
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators face the highest number of challenges, with 24 petitions, followed by the BJP with 16 and Congress with 10. Shiv Sena (Shinde) has seven challenged seats, while AIMIM faces five petitions, MNS two and NCP one.
Of the 79 corporators facing challenges, five have already been disqualified, including Raut. The remaining 74 cases are under scrutiny by the state government, according to the RTI data.
Raut, a former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator, was disqualified for six years on Monday after authorities held that the caste certificate submitted by her had been issued under the wrong jurisdiction.
The other corporators whose elections have been annulled include Deepak Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT), Roshan Shaikh and Sameer Patel of AIMIM, and Bushra Malik of the NCP.
The election petitions cover a range of allegations, including invalid or improperly issued caste certificates, discrepancies or false information in election affidavits, and alleged non-disclosure of criminal cases, assets and financial interests.
Candidates are required to submit affidavits while filing their nominations, declaring personal, financial and legal information. Any alleged discrepancy or misrepresentation in these disclosures can be raised as a ground for an election petition and may lead to further judicial or administrative proceedings.
The scrutiny assumes significance as 78 of the BMC’s 227 seats are reserved for candidates from backward classes, making caste-related documentation a key aspect of the election process.
The RTI data shows that Opposition parties account for 42 of the 79 challenged seats, more than half of the total cases. The outcome of the pending petitions could potentially alter the composition and numerical strength of political parties in the BMC.
With five elections already annulled and 74 cases still under scrutiny, the challenges could have wider implications for the political balance and functioning of Mumbai’s civic body.