RLD leader booked for violation of model code of conduct in UP’s Baghpat

As per the FIR, the mobile phones were distributed to at least 30 Intermediate students of the Sanskrit college on March 18. Sources said that these mobile phones were part of the UP government scheme to provide smartphones to students entering college after Class 12 and were distributed by Baghpat NDA-RLD candidate Raj Kumar Sangwan.

“The FIR has been lodged against three persons so far in this connection under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), 171 B (bribery) and relevant section of the Representation of the People Act. We are probing the charges and if the Baghpat candidate Sangwan is found guilty, he may also be booked for the violation,” said M P Singh, the in-charge of Binauli police station.

The Lok Sabha elections in UP will be held in seven phases beginning April 19 and polling in Baghpat will be held in the second phase on April 26.

College principal Sharma and RLD general secretary Gathina have claimed that the mobile distribution programme was held on the college campus on March 16, before the election dates for the Lok Sabha polls were announced. “There was no violation of the Model Code as the programme was held on March 16,” they said in a statement.

The Lekhpal, however, has claimed in the FIR that he had visited the college on March 20. “The principal claimed that the programme was held on March 16 but when I asked him to provide evidence, he could not give any,” Kumar said.

“I also enquired from students who claimed that they received the mobile phones on March 18 and not on March 16 as claimed by the principal. The available evidence and statements of students confirmed that the programme was held on March 18 following which I lodged the FIR at Binauli police station,” Kumar said in the FIR.