India, July 22 -- Seeking divine blessings or offering "dua" for electoral success during a campaign does not amount to soliciting votes on religious grounds or constitute a corrupt electoral practice, the Bombay high court has ruled while dismissing a petition challenging the election of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul - Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLA and cleric Mufti Mohammad Ismail from the Malegaon Central assembly constituency.

Justice N J Jamadar held that "dua" is essentially a form of communication with God and that praying for success in an election "neither amounts to exercise of undue influence nor soliciting votes in the name of the religion" under the Representation of the People Act.

The court dismissed an election petition filed by d...