In a major setback to sitting ruling Anandpur BJD MlA Bhagirathi Sethi, who has allegedly suppressed information in respect of three criminal cases pending against him in his affidavit filed during his nomination in last Assembly elections, the Anandpur Sub-Collector-cum-Returning Officer has begun probe into the case.
Acting on a petition filed by one Akshaya Kumar Baral and some others belonging to Anandpur Assembly constituency, the Chief Electoral Officer has ordered the Returning Officer to conduct the probe and submit a report as soon as possible.
The petitioner alleged that the MlA in 2009 during his filing of nomination had mentioned in the affidavit that three criminal cases were pending against him while three more sensitive criminal cases has already been pending against him at Anandpur SDJM court at that time.
“These cases are pending in different courts of the State which amounts to violation of the provisions of the Peoples’ Representative Act and other provisions of IPC and CRPC for which the Returning Officer is required to institute case against him under appropriate sections,” said the petitioner.