Supreme Court dismisses Fadnavis' plea in 2014 Poll Affidavit case; Ex-CM to undergo trial

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed former Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis' review petition seeking modification of the SC's order in the election affidavit case of 2014. The plea filed by Fadnavis sought modification of the top court's previous order asking him to go through a trial for allegedly not disclosing two pending criminal cases against him in his 2014 poll affidavit.

Supreme Court reserves verdict

Earlier on February 18, the Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on the review petition filed by Fadnavis.  A Top Court Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra reserved the order on the plea after hearing the detailed set of arguments by the former Maharashtra CM's lawyer Mukul Rohatgi. On February 20, Fadnavis was granted bail by a Nagpur Court in the case on a personal bond of Rs 15,000.

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Earlier in October 2019, the top court bench headed by former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had set aside the Bombay High Court order for Devendra Fadnavis's alleged concealment of criminal cases against him in his 2014 election documents. The order was later challenged by Fadnavis in the Supreme Court, by filing a review petition and appealing the top court to reconsider its 2019 order. 

The Bombay High Court had earlier dismissed Satish Ukey's plea, which sought for annulment of Devendra Fadnavis's election to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly alleging non-disclosure of all pending criminal cases against him. Satish had also knocked the Supreme Court's door to challenge the Bombay High Court's order. Ukey's plea stated that Devendra Fadnavis while filing the nominations in 2009 and 2014 had allegedly suppressed the information regarding two pending criminal cases against him. 

READ | Ex-Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Gets Bail From Nagpur Court In Election Affidavit Case

Nagpur Police delivers the summons 

Earlier in November 2019, the Nagpur Police had delivered a summons, issued by a local court to former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in connection with a case where he is accused of concealing information about two criminal matters against him in an election affidavit. The summons was delivered at Fadnavis's house, said an official of Sadar Police Station.

The magistrate's court on November 4, 2019 had stated that the case would be held as a summary criminal case and issued notice. "Process (notice) is issued against accused (Fadnavis) for an offence punishable under section 125A of Representation of People Act, 1951," magistrate S D Mehta said. Cases of cheating and forgery were filed against Fadnavis in 1996 and 1998, but charges were not framed in both the matters. 

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READ | Supreme Court Reserves Order On Fadnavis's Plea Over 2014 Poll Affidavit Pending Cases