On Tuesday, the Himachal Pradesh High Court provided interim anticipatory bail to Hamirpur Independent MLA Ashish Sharma and the father of Gagret MLA Chaitanya Sharma. Both individuals had been accused by the police of “electoral offences” and criminal conspiracy.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday has extended interim anticipatory bail to two notable political figures: Hamirpur Independent MLA Ashish Sharma and the father of Gagret MLA Chaitanya Sharma. This decision comes in the wake of allegations surrounding “electoral offences” and criminal conspiracy linked to the contentious Rajya Sabha polls.
Justice Ranjan Sharma, presiding over the case, has mandated that the accused, Rakesh Sharma and Ashish Sharma, mark their presence at the Boileauganj police station on March 15 and actively cooperate with the ongoing investigation. This directive underscores the judiciary’s commitment to a thorough and fair examination of the facts while ensuring the individuals’ rights are safeguarded during the investigative process.
The backdrop of this legal drama is the recent Rajya Sabha elections, which have been marred by controversy and accusations of unethical practices. The Himachal Pradesh Police lodged a case against Ashish Sharma, Chaitanya Sharma, and other MLAs, following allegations of “electoral offences,” bribery, and criminal conspiracy. These charges stem from a complaint filed by Congress MLAs Sanjay Avasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaur, who have raised serious concerns about “horse trading and misuse of money to influence the elections,” alongside allegations of criminal conspiracy.
The complaint specifically accuses the involved parties of engaging in money trading, misusing helicopters and security forces, and committing criminal misconduct to sway the election results. These allegations have led to the registration of the case under sections 171 c and e (undue influence on elections and bribery) and 120 b (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, in addition to sections 7 and 8 (public servant taking undue advantage) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
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In response to these allegations, the nine MLAs implicated in the case, including six Congress rebels and three independents, have collectively dismissed the charges as baseless. They argue that the government’s “pressure tactics,” such as targeting the businesses of independent MLAs and their families and lodging false cases, will not deter their resolve or safeguard the government’s position.
The controversy extends beyond the immediate accused, as the six Congress MLAs—Sudhir Sharma, Ravi Thakur, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Chetanya Sharma, and Devinder Kumar Bhutto—who allegedly cross-voted in favor of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan, have been disqualified. Their disqualification followed their defiance of a party whip during a crucial vote in the House, leading them to seek redress from the Supreme Court.
The case also involves three independent MLAs: Ashish Sharma, Hoshiyar Singh, and K L Thakur, further complicating the political and legal narrative in Himachal Pradesh.
As the Himachal Pradesh High Court continues to navigate this complex case, the implications for the state’s political dynamics and legal standards are profound. The court’s decision to grant interim anticipatory bail is a critical juncture in this ongoing saga, reflecting the delicate balance between ensuring justice and maintaining political integrity. As developments unfold, the eyes of the public, political analysts, and legal experts remain fixed on the evolving situation, awaiting the final resolution and its impact on the political landscape of Himachal Pradesh.
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