Embarrassment for SP, MLA disqualified from UP Assembly after conviction for murder

Lucknow, Jan 23: Ruling Samajwadi Party MLA from Charkhari, Kaptan Singh Rajput, who was recently convicted in a 13-year-old murder case, has been disqualified from the membership of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

After receiving a letter from the Election Commission of India in this connection, the UP Legislative Assembly yesterday issued a notification, disqualifying Kaptan Singh from the membership of the House, principal secretary, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Pradip Dubey said.

Kaptan Singh, along with his brother Laxman Singh, was convicted by a Jalaun court and awarded life sentence earlier on January 5.

The legislator now stands disqualified as per the orders of the Supreme Court. The apex court has ruled last year that elected representatives, both of Parliament and the state assemblies, will be disqualified soon after they are convicted.

Kaptan Singh was elected MLA from Charkhari seat in Mahoba district in a bypoll in September last year after the seat was vacated by Union minister Uma Bharti on being elected to the Lok sabha from Jhansi. In 2012 assembly polls, Uma Bharti had defeated Kaptan Singh.

PTI