Delhi HC Stays BCD’s Suspension of Ex-DHCBA President Rajiv Khosla Over Election Misconduct Charges

Justice Amit Bansal stays the Bar Council of Delhi’s April 26 order suspending Rajiv Khosla and three other lawyers, and barring them from the High Court premises, pending a challenge to the disciplinary action arising from alleged misbehaviour with Justice Talwant Singh and other officials during the counting of votes in BCD elections.

The Delhi High Court on July 1, 2026 stayed the suspension of former Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) President Rajiv Khosla and three other lawyers, who had been suspended by the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) for allegedly misbehaving with the returning officer, Justice Talwant Singh, and other officials engaged in the counting of votes for the BCD elections.

Justice Amit Bansal stayed the order passed by the BCD on April 26, 2026, under which the lawyers were suspended and additionally barred from entering the precincts of the Delhi High Court. The stay was granted after Khosla and the other lawyers filed a plea challenging their suspension. The matter has been listed for further hearing in October.

The Impugned BCD Order

As per the impugned notice issued by the BCD, the lawyers are accused of forcibly stopping the returning officer and other officials from entering the vote-counting venue, and of using abusive language during the process. The BCD issued show cause notices to the lawyers asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for alleged professional misconduct, including a proposed suspension of their licence to practise for three years.

The lawyers were accused of forcibly stopping the returning officer, Justice Talwant Singh, and other officials from entering the counting venue and using abusive language, charges that led to the BCD’s April 26 suspension order now stayed by the High Court.

Background: BCD Elections and Ballot Tampering Controversy

The BCD elections were conducted on February 21, 22 and 23, 2026, in which 221 candidates contested for 23 elected positions under the preferential voting system. The election process subsequently became embroiled in litigation after allegations of ballot tampering surfaced during the elimination rounds of counting.

On June 6, 2026, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court refused to order a fresh election to the BCD, holding that the discovery of tampered ballot papers during counting did not vitiate the entire electoral process and therefore did not warrant a re-poll.

Subsequently, the Supreme Court allowed the completion of counting of votes in the BCD elections, but ordered that the results shall not be notified without its prior permission. The election dispute therefore remains sub judice at the apex court level, with the vote count completed but results pending notification.

Case Details

• Case Title: Rajiv Khosla v. BCD & Anr. and other connected matters
• Court: Delhi High Court
• Bench: Justice Amit Bansal
• Date of Order: July 1, 2026