Hearing the matter, the Supreme Court observed that once a candidate's nomination is rejected by the Returning Officer, the appropriate remedy ordinarily lies before the Election Commission. Questioning the maintainability of the petition at this stage, the court remarked, "However erroneous the decision may be, once a nomination is rejected, the remedy ordinarily lies elsewhere. Is there any judgment of this Court where we have interfered at that stage?"
Despite the setback, Natarajan maintained that she was neither disappointed nor shocked by the verdict. Speaking after the court's decision, she said there was no reason for dismay because the developments had exposed the condition of democratic institutions. While refraining from commenting directly on the Supreme Court's ruling out of respect for the Constitution and the dignity of the court, she alleged that the Election Commission was compromised.
The controversy stems from the rejection of Natarajan's nomination papers by the Returning Officer. The nomination was rejected on the ground that she had allegedly failed to disclose a pending criminal case against her in the nomination documents.
Representing Natarajan before the Supreme Court, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that election rules require disclosure only in criminal cases carrying a minimum punishment of two years. He contended that, in the present matter, only summons had been issued and that the circumstances did not warrant rejection of the nomination papers.
Responding to the court's observations, Natarajan stated that there had been no weakness in her case. According to her, the Supreme Court's view was that the dispute should be addressed through an election petition rather than judicial intervention at the current stage.
The ruling is significant because it reinforces the principle that disputes arising from the rejection of nomination papers are generally expected to follow the statutory electoral process. At the same time, the case has drawn attention to questions surrounding candidate disclosures, election administration, and the legal remedies available during the electoral process.
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