CHANDIGARH: Nearly two and a half years after Supreme Court intervened in the Chandigarh mayoral election controversy, the director general of audit (central), Chandigarh, has flagged govt’s “inaction” regarding the implementation of SC’s directions against then-presiding officer Anil Masih.The audit seeks to know what action was taken by govt and Chandigarh Municipal Corporation following the apex court’s judgment and why no action was taken at govt level.The audit enquiry, dated June 2, 2026, seeks details of action under Section 33(2) of Punjab Municipal Corporation Act and asks whether Masih, a nominated BJP councillor, was a public servant and whether his services could continue after the alleged misconduct.Masih was the presiding officer for the Jan 30, 2024, mayoral election. During counting, he invalidated eight votes cast in favour of AAP-Congress alliance candidate Kuldeep Kumar.Supreme Court examined the ballots and video footage, and found that all eight votes were valid. It quashed the election result that had declared BJP’s Manoj Kumar Sonkar the winner and declared Kumar the validly elected mayor.The controversy escalated after video footage from the counting room showed Masih marking the ballots as invalid.“Supreme Court held that a fit and proper case was made out for invoking its jurisdiction under Section 340 of CrPC in respect of Masih’s conduct and directed its registrar (judicial) to issue him a showcause notice,” noted the audit report.In its response, Chandigarh municipal corporation said the matter has been “referred to the higher authority” via a letter dated June 3, 2026, for further action.The audit observation would remain pending until the final outcome / decision in the case. The audit document records that the final reply is still awaited.Chandigarh-based social activist RK Garg said, “Two years on and no action in the case. It shows poorly on the administration that the issue had to be raised by the CAG in the audit.”The controversy led to a change in the way Chandigarh elects its mayor.In 2025, UT administrator approved an amendment to Regulation 6 of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Procedure and Conduct of Business) Regulations, replacing the traditional secret-ballot system with voting by show of hands.The new system was used for the Jan 2026 mayoral election.
