The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered fresh elections in 50 municipal wards in Punjab’s Patiala and Moga districts, ruling that violence had vitiated the December 2024 municipal polls there.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, passed the order after a court-appointed fact-finding commission reported widespread irregularities in those wards.

The commission, headed by retired Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, had been asked to probe allegations that nomination papers of candidates were snatched and torn, and that contesting candidates were threatened and assaulted during the election process.

Petitioners had alleged that the violence aimed to ensure uncontested victories, and that the State Election Commission failed to act despite repeated complaints.

The bench observed that elections conducted through fear and coercion cannot stand. It directed the Punjab State Election Commission to conduct fresh polling in the affected wards in accordance with law.

The Aam Aadmi Party governs Punjab. The December 2024 civic polls were marked by violence in several areas, with opposition parties accusing the ruling party of capturing the process. The verdict now reopens the battle for these 50 wards, where the outcome will be decided afresh.