Dehradun/Haldwani, Aug. 19 -- The Uttarakhand high court on Monday expressed displeasure over the law and order situation during the election for the Nainital Zila Panchayat president and vice-president held on August 14, even as it clarified that it will not adjudicate on the validity of the election process itself. Hearing a suo motu petition, a division bench of chief justice G Narender and justice Alok Mehra directed district magistrate (DM) Vandana and senior superintendent of police (SSP) PN Meena to submit counter affidavits within 24 hours. The court made it clear that its concern was restricted to lapses in policing and public order during the election process. The HC in its order stated, "The District Election Officer/ District Magistrate, Nainital shall file her affidavit along with the supporting documents placing on record the sequence of events and the subsequent developments post the elections. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Nainital shall also file his affidavit detailing the events leading upto the violence that appear on the videos played before this Court. List on 19.08.2025 at 2:15 PM". During the hearing, the state government submitted a report by the assistant returning officer claiming that the voting took place peacefully, without violence or disruption. The report, however, admitted that there was "some negligence" on the part of the police, for which a case had been registered and one police personnel suspended. The government also presented video footage of the three-phase voting process, along with clips showing some opposition leaders allegedly using abusive language. Five district panchayat members who were earlier reported missing were also produced before the court. Meanwhile, a Congress-backed candidate alleged that the election was influenced by people with criminal backgrounds, who had arrived in Nainital on August 13 and they took with them five members a day before the vote. It was further alleged that police remained inactive despite the incident occurring in their presence. The opposition also questioned why counting was conducted at 3 am, terming it irregular. They demanded a high-level probe into the entire episode. The bench expressed strong displeasure at the police handling of the situation In response, SSP Meena told the court that notices were issued to some individuals and requested more time to take further action. Advocate general SN Babulkar argued that the case pertained to lapses in policing rather than irregularities in the voting process itself. DM Vandana also submitted that the counting of votes was conducted strictly as per rules, and that the result had been sealed and placed in the treasury. The court has scheduled the next hearing for Tuesday, when it will also take up a petition seeking a re-poll. While reserving its observations on the conduct of elections, the bench reiterated that it would only review the law and order aspect. With the result kept in a sealed envelope and uncertainty surrounding the court proceedings, the situation regarding the post of Nainital Zila Panchayat president remains unclear for now. The elections for district panchayat president and block Pramukh in Nainital, turned tense on Thursday with clashes, allegations of kidnapping and even firing between supporters of the BJP and Congress. The matter reached the Uttarakhand HC, which issued strict instructions to ensure fair and peaceful voting. The voting process was held on Thursday for the posts of District Panchayat presidents as well as vice presidents and Block Pramukhs. Congress leaders Yashpal Arya, Khatima MLA Bhuvan Kapri, Haldwani MLA Sumit Hridayesh, former MLA Sanjeev Arya, district panchayat president candidate Pushpa Negi, and 10 members arrived at the HC while a hearing was underway before chief justice G Narender and justice Alok Mahra. They told the bench that "people of the ruling party" assaulted them and "tried to kidnap some members." Showing election result certificates for 15 members, they claimed that "five of their local leaders were missing." On August 1, the counting process for the three-tier panchayat elections in Uttarakhand concluded. The results were declared for 358 district (zila) panchayat members, 2,972 block development council members, and 7,479 village panchayat heads (pradhans) in 12 districts The voting for the first phase of the panchayat election was held on July 24 and second phase on July 28....