Strategic Voting Shapes District Bar Association Election in Nagpur The District Bar Association (DBA) election in Nagpur is entering its final phase, with candidates engaging in a high-stakes battle over strategic voting tactics. Voting is set to take place on April 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with results expected to be announced the following day. The contest has intensified as candidates adopt calculated strategies to secure their positions, with a focus on managing vote distributions and forming last-minute alliances. At the heart of the election is a well-established practice: candidates are deliberately withholding between 200 to 250 votes each to strengthen their bargaining power. Election observers note that this tactic is common, as the balance of power can shift dramatically after 3 p.m. on the final day. "Candidates often enter into tacit understandings and transfer votes to consolidate positions," said a senior member familiar with the process. This dynamic underscores the importance of timing and coordination in determining the outcome. The electorate has been reduced to 3,370 voters due to the "one bar, one vote" rule, which removed nearly 1,300 names from the rolls. With an estimated turnout of 80%, approximately 2,700 to 2,800 votes are expected to be cast. Every vote carries significant weight, as the narrow margins could determine the winner. For the presidential race, six candidates are vying for the top post: Nitin Deshmukh, Prakash Jaiswal, Manoj Sable, Rajesh Nayak, Tarun Parmar, and Sunil Lacharwar. While the race is currently seen as a triangular contest, insiders suggest it may narrow to a direct showdown by late afternoon on polling day. An election observer noted that securing around 1,200 votes would likely secure victory in the presidential race.#nagpur #manoj_sable #district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal
District Bar Association Elections 2026: Six Candidates Vie for President, Five for Secretary Post The District Bar Association (DBA) in Nagpur has officially cleared all nominations for its upcoming elections, setting the stage for a competitive contest for the positions of president and secretary. The final scrutiny of nominations confirmed the validity of all 11 applications received, with no rejections. This marks the beginning of the election process, which includes key dates for voter registration, candidate withdrawals, and the final candidate list. The race for the president’s post features six candidates, including former office-bearers Nitin Deshmukh, Prakash Jaiswal, and Manoj Sable, alongside Rajesh Nayak, Tarun Parmar, and Sunil Lacharkar. The presence of experienced legal professionals is expected to shape voter preferences, though internal party dynamics remain uncertain. For the secretary’s role, five candidates are in contention: Anil Gulhane, Amit Band, Ashish Shende, Nitin Rode, and Ashish Kataria. The election timeline began with the publication of the final voter list on March 30. Nomination forms were distributed starting April 1, with submissions due by April 7. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until 5 p.m. on April 9. The final list of contesting candidates will be announced on April 10, providing clarity on the number of contenders. Campaigning is restricted to a short period following the release of the final list, running from April 10 to 23. Polling is scheduled for April 24, with voting open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The counting of votes will take place on April 25, with results expected to be declared the same day. The election process emphasizes transparency, with strict adherence to deadlines and procedural guidelines.#nagpur #manoj_sable #district_bar_association #nitin_deshmukh #prakash_jaiswal
‘Covid Excuse No Longer Acceptable’: HC Pulls Up ASI Over Neglect of Old HC Building Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has strongly criticized the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for its failure to conserve the historic Old High Court building, rejecting the agency’s reliance on the pandemic as a justification for delays. The court, hearing a suo motu petition and a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former district bar association (DBA) secretary Manoj Sable through counsel Shreerang Bhandarkar, expressed frustration over the prolonged neglect of the heritage structure. The division bench, comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode, dismissed the ASI’s claim that the six-month deadline for restoration work was unachievable due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The court noted that the pandemic’s effects had subsided by the first quarter of 2022, yet no significant progress had been made in the subsequent four years. “Such reasons cannot be accepted now,” the bench stated, emphasizing the need for accountability. The court highlighted that a portion of the Old High Court building had collapsed earlier, prompting judicial intervention to facilitate its reconstruction. Despite this, the court observed a pattern of administrative apathy, with the expected seriousness in preserving the heritage site remaining absent. The ASI had previously submitted an affidavit citing the pandemic as a barrier to completing the restoration within the stipulated timeframe, but the court found this explanation inadequate. During the hearing, the ASI argued that completing the entire restoration project within six months was not feasible.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #archaeological_survey_of_india #manoj_sable #shreerang_bhandarkar
