The election petition filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, challenging the election of NCP’s Sanjay Dina Patil from Mumbai North-East Lok Sabha constituency, will be heard on August 31.

Somaiya, who lost to Patil by a margin of 2,933 votes in the May elections, has moved the Bombay High Court alleging malpractices by Patil.

Justice JP Devadhar on Friday directed Somaiya to serve notices to Patil and other candidates in the fray. Somaiya has alleged that NCP workers distributed money on the voting day which resulted in Patil getting lead of over 5,000 votes in Mankhurd area of the constituency.