MP: independent MLA's election set aside

Madhya Pradesh High Court today set aside the election of independent MLA Paras Dada Saklecha from Ratlam in 2009 on the ground of leading a baseless and misleading campaign against his rival, former minister Himmat Kothari of BJP.
Justice Mool Chand Garg passed the order upon Kothari's election petition.
The HC held that Saklecha adopted "unfair means" in the campaign, violating Representation of People Act, 1951, said Kothari's lawyer Veer Kumar Jain.
The court also ordered Saklecha to pay a cost of Rs 20,000 to Kothari.
According to petition, Saklecha had levelled allegations such as Kothari had indulged in corruption in purchase of guns, feed for peacocks and canes for policemen during his tenure as Home Minister, and had bought huge properties in Mumbai and Bangalore.

After examining statements of witnesses and video footage recorded by the Election Commission, court found that Kothari's petition had substance.
While Saklecha had got 62,364 votes, Kothari had got 31,290.