HC Orders Candidate Reinstated After 'No-Toilet' Disqualification

The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the State Election Commission to reinstate candidate Kusum Kothiyal from Tehri Garhwal, after her nomination was arbitrarily rejected due to alleged lack of a toilet. The court found the returning officer’s complaint baseless—evidence showed a toilet 150 m away—criticizing the move as an abuse of power. Kothiyal now has full right to contest with a symbol restored. The court emphasized that statutory electoral rights cannot be denied on frivolous grounds and has asked the SEC to report compliance by August 11.