Court allows jailed Maoist to contest polls
April 6th, 2011 - 10:51 pm ICT by IANSKolkata, April 6 (IANS) A local court in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district Wednesday permitted Chhatradhar Mahato, jailed convener of a pro-Maoist tribal outfit, to contest the state assembly polls, provided he gets clearance from the Election Commission.
“Chhatradhar Mahato appealed before the Jhargram court for allowing him to contest in the assembly polls from Jhargram constituency in the district as an independent candidate,” said Chhatradhar’s counsel Kaushik Shina.
Chhatradhar - founder and convenor of the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) - is at present lodged in Midnapore Central Jail after he was arrested October 2009 in several cases, including of murder, waging war against nation and under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
“After hearing his plea, the Jhargram court passed an order allowing Chhatradhar to participate in the poll subject to guidelines and rules of Election Commission and of the state jail department,” said Shina.
The court has also instructed the jail department to extend all necessary help to Chhatradhar for contesting in the election.
When asked whether Chhatradhar would be allowed to contest in the election, state Additional Chief Electoral Officer N.K. Sahana said: “According to the general rule of the Election Commission, any under-trial can participate in election, unless he or she is convicted in any case.”
“We don’t have the details of Chhatradhar case and without going through it, we would not be able to comment whether he would be allowed to contest or not,” said Sahana.
Polls would be held in Jhargram May 10 along with 13 other Maoist-affected constituencies of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts.
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- Jailed Maoist leader not allowed to vote - May 10, 2011
- Chhatradhar Mahato's election agent released on bail - May 06, 2011
- Campaigning ends for West Bengal polls - May 08, 2011
- Tight security, long voter queues in Maoist heartland (Second Lead) - May 10, 2011
- Heavy voting in Maoist heartland as Bengal polls end (Roundup) - May 10, 2011
- Bengal's Maoist heartland votes in huge numbers (Fourth Lead) - May 10, 2011
- Tight security, high voter turnout in Maoist heartland (Third Lead) - May 10, 2011
- I wish I could canvass for Mahato: Trinamool MP - May 28, 2011
- Bengal polls end with heavy voting in Maoist heartland (Intro Roundup) - May 10, 2011
- Tight security, long queues in West Bengal polling (Lead) - May 10, 2011
- Maoists put up posters protesting Mahato killing - Mar 12, 2011
- Pro-Maoist group's spokesman in our custody, admits police - Sep 04, 2010
Tags: atrocities, bankura, central jail, chief electoral officer, constituency, convener, convenor, election commission, independent candidate, local court, maoist, midnapore district, prevention act, purulia, s committee, sahana, state assembly polls, state jail, uapa, west bengal