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Two sitting Rajasthan MLAs sentenced to 1-year jail in 2014 road blocking case

Although they have been convicted, Yadav and Bhakar will not face disqualification from the Rajasthan assembly since the jail terms are under the two years mandated under The Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Ladnun MLA Mukesh Bhakar (left), Shahpura MLA Manish Yadav (right)

Two Congress legislators from Rajasthan are among nine who were sentenced to a year in jail Wednesday for blocking a major road during a protest in 2014.

All nine, including Shahpura MLA Manish Yadav and Ladnun MLA Mukesh Bhakar, were found guilty under sections 147 (punishment for rioting) and 283 (causing danger or obstruction in a public way or line of navigation).

The court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Jaipur also imposed a fine of Rs 3,200 on the convicts, which includes Congress leader Abhishek Chaudhary, who unsuccessfully contested the 2023 Rajasthan assembly polls from Jhotwara.

Although they have been convicted, Yadav and Bhakar will not face disqualification from the Rajasthan assembly since the jail terms are under the two years mandated under The Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The convicts were part of an August 2014 protest at Rajasthan University. According to court documents, the protesters from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) blocked the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg outside the main gate of Rajasthan University for 20 minutes, prompting the police to book them.

Police filed a chargesheet in the case on August 11, 2016. Yadav was then part of the ABVP but he eventually joined the Congress and won the 2023 assembly polls.

The others convicted in the case have been identified as Rajesh Meena, Ravi Kirad, Wasim Khan, Dron Yadav, Bhanu Pratap Singh and Vidyadhar Meel.

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Since the offence is bailable, all convicts have been released on bail immediately after the sentencing.

Parul Kulshrestha

Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions. Expertise and Experience Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public. Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas: Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight. Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women. Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use. Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More

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