Cuttack: The Orissa High Court annulled the election of Cuttack-Babarati Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim for failing to furnish detailed information regarding criminal cases against him in an affidavit during the filing of nomination.
A petition was filed in the Orissa High Court (HC) in 2019 seeking the cancellation of the election to Barabati-Cuttack Assembly seat.
In his petition, BJD MLA from the constituency—Debashish Samantaray, has informed the HC that Barabati-Cuttack MLA Muhammad Moquim (INC) has concealed a few facts in his affidavit while submitting his nomination papers.
“In the affidavit, Moquim hasn’t furnished the criminal cases against him. Besides, the Congress MLA has also concealed his property details in the affidavit. Hence, the election should be declared null and void on the ground of concealing truth in the affidavit. The HC should order a re-polling to the constituency,” Samantaray urged the HC.
Later, the Orissa High Court imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on Moquim for failing to present witnesses in his defence in the case.
In 2022, the HC dismissed Moquim’s plea to reject the petition challenging his election from the Barabati Cuttack Assembly constituency.
