The election of 79 of Mumbai’s 227 municipal corporators is currently under legal scrutiny, with challenges ranging from allegedly invalid caste certificates to discrepancies in election affidavits and non-disclosure of criminal and financial details, according to data obtained under the Right to Information Act.

The scrutiny has emerged as a fresh concern for political parties, particularly the Opposition, which accounts for 42 of the 79 challenged seats — more than half. The data was obtained by civic activist Anil Galgali from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The figures come days after former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Vishakha Raut was disqualified for six years over the submission of a caste certificate under what authorities held was the wrong jurisdiction.

Of the 79 corporators facing challenges, five, including Raut, have already been disqualified over issues concerning caste certificates. The remaining 74 cases are under scrutiny by the state government, according to the data.

The challenges relate to a range of allegations, including invalid or improperly issued caste certificates, discrepancies or false information in election affidavits, and alleged non-disclosure of criminal cases, assets and financial interests.

Under State Election Commission rules, candidates are required to submit affidavits disclosing their personal, financial and legal details. Any material discrepancy in these declarations can be raised as a ground for an election petition.

The BMC has 227 elected corporators, including 78 seats reserved for candidates from backward classes, making scrutiny of caste-related documents particularly significant.

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Of the 79 challenged seats, 42 are held by Opposition parties. The Shiv Sena (UBT) accounts for the largest share, with 24 seats, followed by the Congress with 10, AIMIM with five, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) with two and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with one.

On the ruling side, 16 challenged seats are held by the BJP and seven by the Shiv Sena.

The data indicates that any disqualifications arising from the ongoing scrutiny could have a greater political impact on the Opposition, particularly the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, when an elected corporator is disqualified, the seat can pass to the candidate who finished second in the election. However, the law also allows a disqualified corporator to challenge the decision in court.

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Senior BMC officials said this provision has already complicated the process of filling some vacant seats.

“Some of the disqualified corporators have approached the Small Causes Court. Until the court passes an order, appointments to those seats will have to wait. Where a disqualified corporator has not approached the court, the seat automatically goes to the runner-up,” a senior civic official said.

79 BMC SEATS IN THE LEGAL HOT SEAT

60% of challenged corporators are from Opposition parties

• 227 — Total BMC seats
• 79 — Seats under legal scrutiny
• 47 — Opposition + ruling-party breakdown? Wait, based on the supplied data, 42 Opposition | 23 ruling | 14 others/not specified

WHO FACES THE HEAT?

Shiv Sena (UBT) — 24

• BJP — 16
• Congress — 10
• Shiv Sena — 7
• AIMIM — 5
• MNS — 2
• NCP — 1

5 ALREADY DISQUALIFIED

Including former mayor Vishakha Raut, over caste-certificate issues.

74 CASES PENDING

Challenges include caste certificates, election affidavits, criminal cases and asset disclosures.

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THE STAKES: Any disqualification could trigger a vacancy, with the runner-up eligible to take the seat—unless the disqualified corporator moves court.