Poll code violation: Bailable warrant issued against Sambit Patra

 A court in Bhopal on Thursday issued a bailable warrant against BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, accused in a case of violation of the model code of conduct in Madhya Pradesh.

Judicial Magistrate Prakash Kumar Uike issued the warrant against Patra as the BJP leader did not attend the court despite a summons Thursday.

MP Nagar police here have filed a charge sheet in the case against Patra.

BJP leader S S Uppal, a co-accused, remained present and was given bail on a personal bond of Rs 5,000. Police registered a case against Patra and others on a complaint filed by the Election Commission.

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On October 27, Patra held a press conference by the roadside in MP Nagar area here, following which the Congress, which was then in the Opposition, filed a complaint of violation of the model code of conduct with the poll body.

Election Commission officials said in the FIR that holding a press conference by blocking a road without due permissions was a violation of the poll code.

Organisers of the press conference had sought permission to hold it between 1 pm and 3 pm but held it earlier at 12 noon, which too was a violation, the EC had said.

The FIR did not have Patra's name initially. It was added later following a report from the returning officer.

The Congress ousted the BJP from power in the elections held in the state last month and last week following the victory, after a tug-of-war between Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath, the latter was sworn in as the  18th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, in Bhopal on Monday, December 17. 

The Congress on Thursday, December 14 named Mr. Nath, the nine-time Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara, to head the State Congress Legislature Party, after hours of hectic parleys held by party president Rahul Gandhi with senior party leaders.

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(With inputs from PTI)