Court issues notices to UP officials as Salem seeks voting rights

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday issued notices to Uttar Pradesh chief electoral officer, district magistrate and the SDM, Azamgarh on a petition filed by underworld don Abu Salem alleging denial of voting rights to him. Salem’s name was allegedly not included in the voters’ list of Azamgarh district. The court has fixed March 26 as the next date of hearing.

Justice Rakesh Sharma passed the order after hearing Salem’s lawyer Harjot Singh, who contested that denial of voting rights to Salem was contrary to the affidavit filed by the Government of India and the CBI in Portugal, at the time of extradition, that he was citizen of India and resident of 42, Patahantola at Sarai Meer in Azamgarh.

The order was passed by the Lucknow Bench of the court. Salem wanted to contest the Assembly elections from Sarai Meer but his name was not included in the voters’ list. His appeal to include his name in the list was rejected by the SDM and DM of Azamgarh and later by the chief electoral officer.