Cong MLA challenges 3-yr jail sentence in rioting case

A Congress MLA and his associate have approached a Delhi court challenging their three-year jail term for rioting and obstructing government officials to perform their duty when they were closing down polluting industries in 2001 on Supreme Court orders.
Seelampur MLA Mateen Ahmed and ex-councillor Jameer Ahmed have also sought suspension of the judgement, saying it would bar them from contesting the next elections.
"The appellants are reputed politicians and have repeatedly won elections on their posts. If the judgement of conviction is not suspended pending disposal of the appeal, it would mar their chances of contesting the next elections," the plea said.

Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Kumar has slated the matter for April 2 for arguments.
"Till then the interim bail granted by the metropolitan magistrate is extended on the same terms and conditions," the judge said.
The two were held guilty of rioting, assaulting and causing hurt to deter public servants from discharging their duty.

Seeking to set aside the judgement of the magistrate, Mateen said key prosecution witnesses SDM E Raja Babu and LDC Virender Singh had turned hostile during their examination in the court and did not support the prosecution version.
According to the prosecution, on January 7, 2001, when Punjabi Bagh circle SDM E Raja Babu and his team had gone to Jafrabad area in North East Delhi to seal a factory, they were obstructed from doing so by Mateen and five other accused.

Mateen and his associates also assaulted the team, it said.