Karnal, Sept. 13 -- The Karnal district court complex witnessed a tense night on Friday as supporters of two candidates for the District Bar Association president's post had a face-off over the counting of votes, prompting authorities to halt the process and refer the matter to the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana. Kanav Deep, Jangsher Singh Rana and Vinod Sharma were contesting for the president's post. According to the office of returning officer Surjeet Narwal, counting was halted after polling agents representing the groups of Deep and Rana raised objections to several ballot papers, claiming they were invalid. As supporters of the two groups confronted each other, police intervened, officials said. A few advocates sustained minor injuries. Duty magistrate-cum-SDM Devender Sharma reached the counting centre, where the ballot boxes were sealed in his presence. Counting will now be conducted by the Bar Council in accordance with its rules, with the results expected next week. Kanav Deep, a former Bar secretary, said, "Some votes were kept aside amid the dispute. I am confident of my victory." Rana, meanwhile, also claimed victory and appealed to his supporters to maintain peace. htc...