The Delhi High Court has rejected an appeal challenging the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)’s recognition as a political party, confirming its registration with the Election Commission (EC). The division bench, consisting of Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, upheld the decision, stating that AIMIM met all the requirements under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The appeal, filed by Tirupati Narashima Murari, questioned a 2014 EC circular recognising AIMIM as a state-level party in Telangana. Murari, a former Shiv Sena member, argued that AIMIM’s objectives were focused solely on one religious community, which he claimed went against the Constitution's secular principles and the Representation of the People Act.

The court concluded that AIMIM’s revised constitution met the requirements of Section 29A (5) of the RP Act, which requires a political party’s constitutional documents to pledge allegiance to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy.

“We find no infirmity with the conclusion of the learned Single Judge that the requirements of Section 29A (5) of the Act are fully satisfied. Therefore, there is no ground to deregister AIMIM as a political party,” the Bench confirmed in a statement.

The Court also reaffirmed the single judge’s statement that the Election Commission (EC) does not have the power to de-register a political party based on the claims made in Murari’s petition, which tried to associate AIMIM’s political agenda with alleged non-secular practices.

Murari's lawyer argued that AIMIM’s focus on one community went against the principles of secularism and, therefore, its registration was unconstitutional. However, the Bench pointed out that AIMIM had updated its constitution to demonstrate its commitment to the core values of the Constitution.

The Bench rejected the appeal, stating, “The ECI acted within its jurisdiction and the legal requirements for registration were fulfilled.”