Noida police on Tuesday registered a case against Samajwadi Party candidate from Gautam Buddha Nagar Narendra Bhati for instigating people to cast multiple votes and ensure his win. In his alleged speech captured on camera, Bhati was seen brazenly asking voters, especially wrestlers, to ensure above 90 per cent polling by casting multiple votes.

“Don’t be afraid of police cases. There is a SP Government in UP. The State Government will withdraw them after elections,” he said. He also urged people to block all roads of the area so the representatives of EC could not stop bogus voting.

Bhati, who enjoys the status of a Cabinet Minister of UP, is not new to controversy. He is the same person who was captured on tape in 2013, boasting about his clout to get Noida Sub-divisional Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal suspended in ‘mere 41 minutes’ for crack down on mining mafia. Bhati, while addressing a rally in Maicha village in Dankaur area of Greater Noida on Monday, had said that he has no fear of law as there is the SP Government in Uttar Pradesh. He had urged wrestlers not to afraid of the EC and bring maximum gathering at polling stations for casting vote in his favour.

“We should take advantage of being in power in the State. I appeal to voters to extend support by violating rules of election. I am facing several cases and do not care about any fresh case. If the EC files cases against you for violation, I ensure to quash them within 60 days by our Government,” said Bhati. Initiating action against Bhati for violating Model Code of Conduct, a case was registered under Sections 171C and 123/2 of Representation of People Act 1951 at Dadri police station.

“As the video is being aired on TV channels in which the SP candidate is seen asking voters to cast multiple votes, we have initiated probe into the matter by registering a complaint. We have also sent a detailed report to the District Election Commission of Gautam Buddha Nagar in this regard,” said a senior police official.