New Delhi, April 30 (H.S.). The Delhi High Court has dismissed the petition challenging the election of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Chirag Paswan from the Hajipur seat in Bihar. The bench of Justice Amit Bansal stated that since the election took place in Hajipur, the Delhi High Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear this petition.

Previously, during the hearing, the court had asked the petitioner how they filed this petition in the Delhi High Court when the jurisdiction to hear this matter lies with the Patna High Court. The petitioner, a woman, filed a case of sexual harassment against Chirag Paswan and Prince Raj among other accused in 2021. An FIR regarding this has also been registered in Delhi. This case is pending in the Rouse Avenue Court. The petition states that Chirag Paswan did not mention this matter while providing information about his criminal history in the electoral affidavit submitted during his nomination. The petition claims that by concealing this matter in the electoral affidavit, Chirag Paswan violated Section 125A of the Representation of the People Act.

During the hearing, lawyer Siddhant Kumar representing the Election Commission stated that according to the Representation of the People Act, this petition is not maintainable because the elections were held in Bihar. During the hearing, ASG Chetan Sharma, representing the central government, stated that only a voter or candidate from the election constituency can file an election petition. This petition does not fall under any category.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar