The Karnataka High Court has granted an interim stay on an FIR filed by the Chikmagalur Police against election officials for alleged tampering with postal ballot papers in the Sringeri assembly constituency. This follows the results of the May 2023 assembly elections, where Congress candidate T.D. Raje Gowda was initially declared the winner. However, BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraj contested the results, leading to a recount ordered by the court on May 2, which revealed that Jeevaraj had actually received more votes. Following this, the returning officer invalidated Gowda's victory and declared Jeevaraj the winner, igniting a political dispute between the two parties. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused Jeevaraj and election officials of engaging in a criminal act of tampering, claiming around 250 votes were affected. The FIR was filed on May 3 based on Gowda's complaint, but Justice V. Srishananda noted that the police acted under political pressure, which could hinder official operations. The case is scheduled for a hearing on May 7.