Election Officials File Criminal Case Against Candidate and YouTuber in Daltonganj
In a significant development concerning the upcoming civic body polls, election officials in Daltonganj have taken stringent legal action. On Friday, a criminal case was officially filed against a ward councillor candidate and a prominent YouTuber. The charges stem from the candidate's failure to submit a mandatory caste certificate and allegations of making false, malicious statements linked to the electoral process.
FIR Lodged at Hussainabad Police Station
The case was formally registered at the Hussainabad police station against Ajay Paswan, who was contesting for the position of ward member, and YouTuber Sheikh Mojahid. This decisive action was initiated following a direct order from Palamu District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Sameera S. She instructed Pankaj Kumar, the Returning Officer (RO) of Hussainabad Nagar Panchayat, to lodge the First Information Report (FIR) to uphold electoral integrity.
Nomination Rejection and Viral Interview
Chandan Kumar, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hussainabad police station, provided detailed insights into the sequence of events on Saturday. He confirmed that Ajay Paswan had filed his nomination for the ward member post in ward number 14 under the Hussainabad Nagar Panchayat. During the mandatory scrutiny process, it was discovered that Paswan's nomination documents lacked the required caste certificate. Consequently, his nomination was officially rejected by the election authorities.
Following this rejection, Paswan participated in an interview with YouTuber Sheikh Mojahid. In this interview, which was later broadcast widely, Paswan allegedly made baseless, unfounded, and malicious allegations against the Returning Officer. He specifically claimed that his nomination was deliberately rejected to facilitate the unopposed election of another candidate. The interview rapidly went viral across various social media platforms, amplifying the controversy and prompting official intervention.
Legal Charges Under the BNS
The FIR against Paswan and Mojahid includes multiple serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The key sections invoked are:
- Forgery with intent to harm reputation
- Disobedience of a lawfully passed order
- Making a false statement in connection with an election
- Publication or circulation of a false statement regarding an election through digital means
These charges highlight the legal gravity of the accusations, particularly concerning the dissemination of false information via digital media, which can significantly influence public perception and electoral fairness.
Police Investigation and Next Steps
S Mohammad Yakub, the Hussainabad Sub-Divisional Police Officer, addressed the media regarding the ongoing investigation. He stated, "Both individuals will be served formal notices by the police to explain their situation and provide their version of events." He further emphasized that the investigation would be conducted with complete transparency and fairness, ensuring due process is followed. "The law will take its own course in this case," he added, underscoring the commitment to judicial propriety.
This case underscores the strict enforcement of electoral laws and the serious consequences of violating nomination requirements or spreading misinformation during election periods. It serves as a cautionary tale for candidates and media personalities alike about the legal boundaries in democratic processes.
