HC rejects Saklecha’s plea against election of Ratlam BJP MLA

INDORE: In a relief to BJP MLA from Ratlam, Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court on Monday rejected a petition filed against his election to state assembly in 2013. Former MLA and independent candidate from Ratlam, Paras Saklecha filed an election petition against BJP MLA Chetan Kumar Kashyap for hiding information at the time of filing nomination. However, Justice J K Jain rejected the petition stating it had no merits. Advocate VK Jain said Saklecha in his petition alleged Kashyap was a resident of Mumbai which is proved by his PAN card and other documents. This allegation was rejected by HC on the ground that Kashyap’s name is enrolled in voter’s list of Ratlam and that was sufficient to allow him to contest election.HC rejected Saklecha’s allegation about not mentioning pending FIR registered against Kahsyap in the nomination on the ground that as per rule candidate is only required to mention pending court cases and mentioning FIR is not mandatory. Third allegation about local administration having supported BJP MLA during election process was rejected by court in the absence of substantial evidence.