BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi Gets 6-Month Jail Term for Poll Code Violation

Lucknow court sentences BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi to six months in prison and a fine for violating the code of conduct during the 2012 UP assembly elections.

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A Lucknow court on Friday sentenced Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi to six months imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1,100 for violating the code of conduct during the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Violation of Code of Conduct

Joshi, the current BJP MP from Prayagraj, was convicted of holding a meeting in violation of the code of conduct on behalf of the Congress party by Special Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of MP-MLA Court Ambrish Kumar Srivastava.

The prosecution presented evidence that on February 17, 2012, at around 6.50 pm, Joshi, as a Congress candidate for the Lucknow Legislative Assembly Cantt constituency, was campaigning in the Bajrang Nagar area of Krishna Nagar in violation of the code of conduct.

It was alleged that Joshi addressed a public meeting even after the designated time for campaigning had ended.

Discovery of Violation

Upon receiving information about the violation, Static Surveillance Magistrate Mukesh Chaturvedi visited the scene and found Rita Bahuguna Joshi holding a meeting with approximately 50 people in Bajrang Nagar. Chaturvedi recorded the incident on camera.

A report was subsequently lodged in the matter by Chaturvedi at Krishna Nagar Police Station.

Legal Proceedings

Following a police investigation, a charge sheet was filed in the court against Joshi on September 12 of the same year.

On February 20, 2021, the court framed charges against her under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

Sentencing and Release

After the sentencing, the court took Joshi into custody. However, she was later released on interim bail upon furnishing a bond of Rs 20,000 and surety.

Political Background

It is noteworthy that Rita Bahuguna Joshi left the Congress party and joined the BJP prior to the 2017 assembly elections.

The conviction of Rita Bahuguna Joshi serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the code of conduct during elections to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.