Shahabuddin denied bail in false affidavit case

Patna, Dec 19 (UNI) Patna High Court today rejected the bail petition of incarcerated RJD MP Mohammad Shhabuddin in a case relating to misleading the Election Commission (EC) by suppressing facts about number of criminal cases pending against him while filing an affidavit during parliamentary election in 2004.

Justice Navin Sinha rejected the bail petition of the leader after hearing the arguments of the prosecution. The court directed the lower court concerned to expedite the trial in the case.

Counsel of the petitioner submitted that the RJD MP had not suppressed the facts in his affidavit filed before the District Magistrate-cum-returning officer of Siwan.

'' The RJD MP had mentioned in his affidavit that 19 criminal cases were pending against him because the charges were framed by various courts in only those cases'' he said, adding charges were not framed in other 15 cases.

'' Where is the question of misleading the EC because Mohammad Shahabuddin had furnished informations about those cases only in which charges were framed as was required under law,'' the counsel of the petitioner argued.

Opposing the plea of the petitioner, the counsel of the prosecution cited a judgement of the Supreme Court which said that candidates were required to furnish details about even those cases in which the court had taken cognizance. In accordance with the directive of the apex court, the RJD MP should have mentioned about all the 34 cases pending against him, the counsel added.

UNI XC-BNG KK KD RS1932