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Patna, November 12 (IANS) The Election Commission has registered an FIR against Jyoti Singh, an independent candidate from Karakat assembly constituency, for violating the model code of conduct during the Bihar assembly elections.
The action was confirmed by Bikramganj SDM cum Returning Officer Prabhat Kumar.
According to Kumar, Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh’s wife Jyoti Singh was staying with her supporters in a hotel in Bikramganj on the night of November 10, a day before voting.
A team led by the SDM violated election guidelines and raided Vindhyavasini Hotel, where he and 15-18 of his supporters were staying.
According to Election Commission rules, campaigning and related activities must stop 48 hours before voting, and outside campaigners are not allowed to be in the constituency after the campaign period ends.
SDM Prabhat Kumar said, “The Karakat assembly campaign ended at 5 pm on November 9. Despite instructions to vacate the hotel, Jyoti Singh and his supporters remained in the hotel.”
He said that during inspection, permits of two of their vehicles had expired, while a third was unauthorized.
The hotel register also failed to list a number of persons staying in the rooms.
However, Jyoti Singh alleged that she was being deliberately harassed.
He claimed that the police raided his room without the presence of women constables, and termed the search as unfair.
Questioning the motive behind the late-night raid, he said, “They harassed me and my family for four hours. I have done nothing wrong. This is a conspiracy to target me.”
Meanwhile, officials said no officer went to the women’s room.
Once the woman was found, the team stopped at the door and continued to inspect other rooms.
“All the persons present were from outside the constituency and failed to cooperate with the election team,” the SDM said. He said the supporters also disrupted official work during the inspection and removed vehicles from the premises.
The SDM confirmed that an FIR has been registered under provisions related to violation of the model code of conduct and obstruction in official duty.
“Further action will be taken as per the instructions of senior officials,” he said.
Voting for the Karakat Assembly seat took place on November 11, alongside constituencies like Chenari, Sasaram, Kargahar, Dinara, Nokha, and Dehri in Rohtas district.
The high-profile Karakat seat saw a multi-cornered contest among JDU’s Mahabali Singh, CPI(ML)’s Arun Singh, Jan Suraaj’s Yogendra Singh, and Independent Jyoti Singh.
–IANS
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