Guwahati: In the upcoming first phase of Assam Lok Sabha polls scheduled for April 19, four candidates, have disclosed pending criminal cases against them in affidavits submitted at the time of filing nomination papers.
These candidates are Congress nominees Gaurav Gogoi and Premlal Ganju, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) contestant from Sonitpur, Rishiraj Kaundinya, and Bharatiya Gana Parishad candidate from Kaziranga, Sailen Chandra Malakar.
A total of 35 candidates are contesting in the first phase polls, which cover five Lok Sabha constituencies: Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, and Sonitpur.
According to a PTI report, Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress deputy leader in the outgoing Lok Sabha and candidate from Jorhat seat, faces a case filed against him at the Basistha police station in Kamrup (Metro) district. The case is filed under various sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, stemming from the party’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Guwahati on January 23, 2024.
Gogoi is accused of disobedience to a legal order of public servants, violation of permission, obstruction to government servants while discharging their duties, and assault on government servants during the yatra.
The affidavit stated that Gogoi is yet to receive any summons from any court or any charges have been framed against him.
Premlal Ganju, the Congress candidate from Sonitpur, is facing charges under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, for dishonouring a cheque in 2017. Although charges were framed against him in 2018, he has not been convicted as of yet.
Rishiraj Kaundinya, the AAP candidate from Sonitpur, has seven cases pending against him, primarily related to allegations of irregularities and corrupt practices in supply orders across various government offices. No charges have been filed against him in any of the cases.
Bharatiya Gana Parishad candidate Sailen Chandra Malakar, contesting from the Kaziranga Lok Sabha seat, has a case pending against him in Hojai police station for alleged criminal Charges have been framed against Malakar but he has not been convicted.
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