India, Aug. 25 -- The Supreme Court on Monday stayed criminal proceedings against psephologist Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) for publishing misleading information about voter data in two Maharashtra assembly segments, which he later withdrew, admitting to his mistake.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai and justice NV Anjaria said, "By an ad-interim order, there shall be stay of further proceedings," as it issued notice to the state government on Kumar's petition.

Senior advocate Vivek Tankha appearing for the petitioner along with advocate Sumeer Sodhi said that Kumar is an officer with impeccable integrity in his service spanning past three decades. Tankha said that the pet...