Lucknow Court Sentences BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi for Election Code Violation

Lucknow Court Sentences BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi for Election Code Violation

VoM News Desk | February 3, 2024 | 10:11 AM IST | Breaking News, Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Lucknow Court Sentences BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi for Election Code Violation

Lucknow Court Sentences BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi for Election Code Violation

A Lucknow court has handed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi a six-month prison term and imposed a fine of Rs 1,100 for violating the code of conduct during the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Special Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ambrish Kumar Srivastava delivered the verdict, stating that Joshi, then a Congress candidate, held a meeting in the Bajrang Nagar area of Krishna Nagar beyond the allowed campaign time.

Violation of Code of Conduct During 2012 UP Assembly Elections

Rita Bahuguna Joshi, currently representing Prayagraj for the BJP, was convicted of addressing a public meeting after the campaign hours had concluded. The prosecution presented evidence that on February 17, 2012, around 6:50 pm, Joshi campaigned in violation of the code of conduct. When authorities learned about the breach, Static Surveillance Magistrate Mukesh Chaturvedi documented Joshi holding a meeting with around 50 people in Bajrang Nagar, leading to charges against her.

Immediate Custody and Subsequent Release on Bail

Following the court’s decision, Rita Bahuguna Joshi was taken into custody. She was later released on interim bail after furnishing a bond of Rs 20,000 and surety. The court’s verdict highlights the importance of adherence to election codes of conduct, regardless of political affiliations. Rita Bahuguna Joshi had switched from the Congress party to the BJP ahead of the 2017 assembly elections.

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