Ex-returning officer gets 3-yr rigorous imprisonment

For fabricating records and making mockery of the government machinery,a Dabwali court has awarded three- year rigorous imprisonment (RI) to the then returning officer.

The court of Dr Atul Marya,Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDM),Dabwali,awarded the rigorous imprisonment to Pardeep Kumar,the then returning officer appointed for gram panchayat elections,and one Darshan Singh,both residents of Sirsa. It was alleged that Singh in connivance with Kumar fabricated a certificate to win the election to ward number 5,gram panchayat,Ghukanwali,Sirsa.

The election had taken place in May 2005. Kumar had awarded a certificate to the victorious candidate,Sukhpal Singh. Sukhpal is the brother of Darshan Singh. Interestingly,Sukhpals name was missing from the list of victorious candidates at the time of oath-taking. Instead,Darshan was shown as the victorious candidate. When objected,the oath-taking ceremony was delayed.

In his defence,the counsel for the returning officer termed it a bonafide mistake.

However,the court noted that the returning officer was duty-bound to conduct the elections in a fair manner but while performing his duty as such he acted with criminal intent and acted partisan. Thus,he violated the constitutional mandate and his act cannot be pardoned, the court remarked.

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