Chhattisgarh Congress moves HC over Antagarh bypoll 'fixing'

Chhattisgarh Congress today filed a petition in the high court demanding a SIT probe monitored by the court over alleged fixing of Antagarh bypolls in 2014.
State party president Bhupesh Baghel filed the petition contendingthat a "criminal conspiracy" was hatched and "money exchanged hands" to ensure BJP's victory in the Antagarh assembly byelection, petitioner's lawyer Satish Chandra Verma claimed.
Congress had fielded Manturam Pawar as candidate for bypoll in Antagarh (ST) seat in Kanker district in 2014.
Pawar withdrew his nomination a day ahead of the deadline without informing party leaders as a result of which BJP registered a thumping victory, the petition claimed.

After about a year, an audio tape containing telephonic talks purportedly between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh's son-in-law Puneet Gupta, Congress leader Ajit Jogi and his son Amit (MLA from Marwahi seat) surfaced in December 2015, pointing at their alleged involvement in "fixing" the bypoll, the petition further claimed.
In the petition, Congress demanded that a fair investigation is needed over the alleged fixing and conspiracy to influence the bypoll so that truth is unveiled.
The party has sought a high level probe after setting up a High Court monitored special investigation team (SIT) as the matter involves high profile people including incumbent and former Chief Ministers and their son-in-law and son, Verma said.