A Lucknow court recently sentenced BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi to six months imprisonment after finding her guilty of violating the code of conduct during 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly election. In addition, a fine of Rs 1,100 has also been imposed upon her.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ambrish Kumar Srivastava sentenced Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who is currently serving as an MP from Prayagraj, for holding a meeting in violation of conduct while contesting the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls as a Congress party candidate. Rita Bahuguna Joshi was elected as the COngress MLA from the Lucknow Cantonment assembly seat.
The Lucknow court was informed that on February 17, 2012 at around 6:50 pm, Rita Bahuguna Joshi engaged herself in campaign activities in the Bajrang Nagar area of Krishna Nagar in Lucknow, violating the prescribed code of conduct. The prosecution further asserted that Rita Joshi organised a public meeting even after the designated campaign period had concluded.
Reportedly, when the authorities got to know about the aforesaid violation, Static Surveillance Magistrate Mukesh Chaturvedi went to the spot and found Rita Bahuguna Joshi holding a meeting with a crowd of more than 50 people in Bajrang Nagar and recorded it on camera.
Subsequently, a report was filed in the matter by Chaturvedi at Krishna Nagar Police Station. Following a police investigation, a charge sheet was filed in the court against Ms Joshi on September 12 of the same year. Later on February 20, 2021, the Lucknow court framed charges against the BJP MP under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
After sentencing, the Lucknow court took BJP MP Joshi into custody. She was later released on interim bail upon furnishing a bond Rs 20,000 and surety. Rita Bahuguna Joshi left Congress and joined BJP before the 2017 assembly elections.