The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea challenging the election of Chirag Paswan, president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), as a Member of Parliament from the Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.
Justice Amit Bansal ruled that the Delhi High Court did not possess the jurisdiction to adjudicate the election petition since the election in question was conducted in Bihar. “Accordingly, the election petition is dismissed on the ground of lack of territorial jurisdiction,” stated the court order.
Despite dismissing the petition, the court granted the petitioner the liberty to seek other legal remedies. The petitioner, a survivor of sexual assault, had accused Prince Raj and his associates, including his cousin Paswan, of involvement in the assault. She argued that Paswan failed to disclose his “criminal antecedents” when filing his nomination, which she claimed violated Section 125A of the Representation Of People Act. This section mandates accurate disclosure of criminal cases in electoral affidavits and carries a penalty of up to six months in prison for violations.
