HP High Court issues notice to EC

Shimla, Dec 14 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued a notice to the Election Commission on a petition filed by a Congress candidate whose nomination papers were rejected by the EC in Kangra district.

The court, in its order, directed the Commission to file its reply by December 17 on the rejection of the nomination papers of Bodh Raj from Gangath constituency following which there was no party candidate from that constituency.

Mr Raj, whose election from the same constituency stands quashed by the Supreme Court, was re-nominated by the party to contest elections against BJP's Desh Raj.

The Congress candidate, in his petition, had alleged that his papers were rejected without proper application of mind and under pressure from the EC.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V K Gupta and Justice Kuldeep Singh after going through the petition directed the poll panel to file their replies by December 17.

UNI