Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court issued summons on Monday to BJP MP Kripanath Mallah from Karimganj parliamentary constituency in Assam and the returning officer of Karimganj in an election petition filed by Congress candidate Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury.
According to reports, Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi issued a summons on the plea which alleged that Mallah employed ‘corrupt practices’ to win the 2024 general elections from Karimganj parliamentary constituency.
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“Heard Shri KP Pathak, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Shri M Dutta, learned counsel for the petitioner, who has instituted this petition under Section 80 read with Sections 80A and 81 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 whereby the election of the respondent no. 1 from No. 7 Karimganj Parliamentary Constituency, Assam, 2024 has been put to the challenge. Issue summons. Let steps be taken by registered post with A/D. Steps be taken within 2 working days,” the Court ordered.
Justice Medhi has ordered the issuing of summons within two days, including through the dasti service (by hand) while fixing the next date of hearing on August 19.
Senior counsel K.P. Pathak represented Choudhary.
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In the LS Polls, Mallah defeated Choudhury by a meagre margin of 18,360 votes, the difference being only 1.6 per cent.
In his petition, Choudhury alleged that Mallah committed multiple ‘corrupt practices’ both while campaigning as well as on the day of elections.
According to the plea in the high court, Mallah was involved in widespread rigging and booth capturing, which included intimidating voters through undue Influence and bribery.
The Court will next hear the matter on August 19.
The petition was filed through the office of advocates M Dutta, AM Ahmed, and MK Hussain with assistance from advocate Dayaar Singla.