Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Sept 11: Some former Ministers and legislators among five more prominent candidates in fray under Phase III of the scheduled Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, have been facing criminal charges as FIRs were registered against them in different Police Stations.
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These candidates include former Ministers Choudhary Lal Singh and Yogesh Sawhney, Ex MLC Vikram Randhawa, DDC Taranjit Singh Tony and Rajesh Pargotra.
According to the affidavit filed by Choudhary Lal Singh, along with nomination papers before the Returning Officer for Election, FIR number 0116/2024, was registered against him at Police Station Kathua for commission of offences under Section 353,500, 504 and 505 of IPC.
Besides, on the basis of FIR No. RC004202020A0005, dated 10-09-2020, CBI produced a chargesheet titled ‘CBI vs R B Educational Trust &Anr in the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, CBI Cases Jammu. On the basis of this chargesheet, the Enforcement Directorate Jammu, on 31-03-2022, registered ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) No. ECIR/JMSZO/04/2022 against Choudhary Lal Singh, who is presently contesting as Congress candidate from Basohli Assembly constituency.
Former Minister Yogesh Sawhney, who is Congress candidate from Jammu East, has a criminal case against him vide FIR No.19/2006 at Police Station Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, under Section 186,332,353 IPC.
For these offences of assault or using criminal force to deter public servant from discharging of his duty, he was sentenced simple imprisonment by Metropolitan Magistrate 02, Patiala House Court, New Delhi. However, the sentence was suspended by the High Court of Delhi in December 2019 after Sawhney filed a Criminal Revision Petition.
Ex MLC and BJP candidate from Bahu Assembly constituency, Vikram Randhawa has pending criminal cases against him at Police Station Satwari and Police Station Bahu Fort.
Both the FIRs, No. 0222/2020, U/S 188 of CrPC at P/S Satwari and No.357/2021, U/S295-A,505(2) IPC at P/S Bahu Fort, have been stayed by the High Court vide different orders.
DDC Suchetgarh and Congress candidate from Bahu Assembly constituency, Taranjit Singh Gujral (Tony) has a pending criminal case against him at Police Station Satwari.
FIR No.0011, dated 17-01-2021, Under Section 188 IPC, was registered against him for obstructing public servant in discharging of public functions.
National Conference candidate from Vijaypur Assembly constituency, Rajesh Pargotra has pending criminal cases against him at Police Station Vijaypur. FIR Nos. 12/2024, U/S 447/506 IPC; 52/2022 U/S 447/323/34 IPC; 83/2021 U/S 323/341/34 IPC; 112/2013 U/S 323/188 RPC’ 51/2012 U/S 341/336/147 RPC; 06/2010 U/S 323/341 RPC have been registered against him at Police Station Vijaypur.
As already reported by the Excelsior, former Ministers Harsh Dev Singh and Vikar Rasool Wani, who are contesting Assembly election from Chenani and Banihal constituencies, respectively, too have pending criminal cases against them under various sections.
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