Advocate and social activist Vivek Krishna today held a press conference on electoral and political reforms in Ranchi. He said that in democracy voters have undeniable right to know about the candidate, specially the outcome of any enquiry on any charge of corruption or ‘Office of Profit’ on the candidate.

In this regard, Krishna told the media persons that he has written a letter to the President of India, to give her advice to the Governor of Jharkhand to bring out in public domain the result of enquiry by the Election Commission and the decision of the Governor on the opinion given to the Governor in the case of 3G of 2022, i.e., the charge on CM of Jharkhand Hemant Soren in ‘Office of Profit’ case for allegedly allotting a stone chips mines to himself in Angada area of Jharkhand while holding the portfolio of Minister of Mines in the State, besides being the Chief Minister of the State.

The allegation was levelled by the Opposition BJP leaders, based on which the Governor of Jharkhand had referred the matter to Election Commission for enquiry into the charges under Article 192(2) of the Constitution. Krishna also informed that the Governor is obliged to follow the advice given by the Election Commission, and he has no discretion in the matter, as per Constitutional Provision.

Advocate Krishna also informed that the Barhait ST reserved Constituency from where Soren is sitting MLA, is going for polls on 20th of November, 2024, in the second phase of election. The decision of Governor in the Office of Profit case must come out in public domain well before 20th November, 2024 so that the voters of Barhait Constituency can know whether the candidate on whom the charge of Office was profit was levelled is correct or not.

Soren is again contesting the forthcoming election from Barhait Constituency. Krishna also maintained that not only the voters in Barhait Reserved Constituency, but the people of Jharkhand, in general, have a right to know whether the charges levelled against a highly placed Constitutional authority is correct or not. He maintained that Constitutional propriety and the provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1951 must be fully respected.

It may be pertinent to note here that the Election Commission had completed its enquiry on the charge of ‘Office of Profit’ in 3G of 2022 case and submitted its report to the Governor of Jharkhand way back on 25th of August, 2022. Even after two years, and successive change of Governors in Jharkhand State, the decision on the said matter is still pending and it has not come out in public domain.

People have undeniable right to know about the outcome of the charges on an elected candidate in democracy.  Krishna said that he has been trying to bring out the opinion of the Election Commission in 3G of 2022 case for the last one and a half years through RTI, and in which the case even went upto the Central Information Commission, and two Writs in this regard have been filed by him in the Jharkhand High Court.

Since there is no time left now, and the fifth Jharkhand Assembly would be dissolved now, there was no option left for him other than to write to the President to intervene in this matter.

Krishna said that he is hopeful that Constitutional provision would get appropriate attention well on time, and before the date on which the Barhait Constituency goes for polls on 20th November, 2024 the final decision in this regard would come out in Public domain. Krishna informed that he had also written to the Governor of Jharkhand on 23rd May, 2023 to bring out the opinion of the Election Commission, and subsequent decision of the Governor in the said case in public domain to clear the mist surrounding the subject.

Krishna also informed that he has also written to ADR (Association for Democratic Reforms) to step in this matter and try for the outcome of the case in 3G of 2022.