Much to the relief of beleaguered BJD leader and former Mayor of Brahmapur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) K Madhavi, the Orissa High Court on Tuesday decided to hear her plea in which she has challenged the verdict of Ganjam District Judge passed last month setting aside her election as a Corporator of the civic body
“Since the High Court has granted an interim stay on the operation of the lower court’s verdict pending a complete hearing of her petition, K Madhavi will now continue to perform her duties as the Mayor,” informed her counsel Manoj Kumar Mishra here.
The Ganjam District Judge had on February 13 annulled Madhavi’s election as a Corporator while disposing of an election petition filed by former Mayor Siba Shankar Das. Consequently, she had lost her Mayoral post as she was no more a member of the BeMC Council.
Madhavi’s election as a Corporator was set aside by the lower court on the ground that she had filed a false affidavit pertaining to her marriages and erroneous mention of the name of her spouse. It was also alleged that Madhavi by misusing her official power had grabbed land in Brahmapur city.
Arguing Madhavi’s case, Mishra told the High Court that since there was a customary divorce of her first marriage that has been recognised by law, the affidavit submitted during the time of her election was not false. Mishra further argued that the question of her second marriage was also not the plea before the lower court.
Taking the arguments under consideration, Justice CR Dash decided to hear the case in detail and, accordingly, stayed the operation of the judgment passed by the lower court.