India, Jan. 10 -- In a significant relief to BJP candidate Nilesh Bhojane, the Bombay High Court on Friday restored his nomination for the post of councillor from Ward 17A of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), setting aside its rejection by the returning officer (RO).

A division bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad struck down the RO's order, which had rejected Bhojane's nomination citing alleged illegal construction at his residence in Vashi. The court observed that the legal provision relied upon by the RO was applicable only to an elected councillor and not to a contesting candidate.

According to Bhojane's petition, he filed his nomination on December 30, 2025, to contest from Ward 17A. How...