The Madhya Pradesh High Court imposed a fine of five thousand rupees on Rahul Singh Lodhi, MLA from Khargapur seat of Tikamgarh district, who did not appear for recording evidence.
The Single Bench of Justice Nandita Dubey has directed to deposit the amount online in the National Defence Fund (NDF).
Earlier , the court had given MLA Lodhi one last opportunity to appear for recording his evidence by depositing the fine amount.
“Let this matter be listed on 14.06.2022 for further recording of the evidence of the witness and all other witnesses. The respondent is therefore directed to keep all his witnesses present on that day”, the order reads.
In the election petition filed against Khargapur MLA Rahul Singh Lodhi, former MLA Chanda Surendra (Petitioner) Singh Gaur has alleged that wrong information has been given by Lodhi in the affidavit.
According to Petitioner , MLA Lodhi is a partner in a profit making firm, but this fact was hidden in the affidavit of the nomination paper. Therefore, a fresh election should be conducted by declaring the elected void.
Advocate Rajmani Mishra, on behalf of the election petitioner, informed the court that MLA Lodhi was given several times to appear in the High Court and present evidence but he did not appear.