SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, May 5: One can raise issues of public interest with arms and explosives! That is what the BJP in Jharkhand believes.
The BJP has justified to the Election Commission as to why it could not select a candidate without criminal antecedent and picked up history- sheeter Dhulu Mahto facing 19 criminal cases in Dhanbad and convicted in two cases. At one time, he had been facing as many as 49 criminal cases!
Charges have no substance: BJP
The BJP says that Dhulu is a dedicated party worker.
“He has an edge over other individuals because whatever charges were alleged in the FIRs and the charges have no substance and were purely with a vindictive approach and personal vendetta being waged by his political enemies,” the party has said.
Giving the reason for the selection of Dhulu Mahto, the party says that he is a sincere and dedicated party worker and is presently MLA of Baghmara.
FIRs for raising public interest issues
The BJP has said that a total of 19 cases are pending and protested, and the FIRs were registered with reason of raising public interest, and the party believes that there will be no adverse outcome against the alleged accused.
The nature of offences includes Section 307 (attempt to murder), 395 (dacoity), 120 B, 27 of the Arms Act, and ¾ of the Explosives Act among numerous other charges.
Besides, the Jharkhand High Court also ordered a probe into his assets, which the Income tax and the ED have put on the back burner.
Supreme Court order
Notably, after a Supreme Court judgement delivered in 2020, it is mandatory for political parties nominating candidates with a criminal background to provide a rationale for their selection.
Besides, political parties must publish details of candidates with criminal backgrounds on their websites, social media, and newspapers.
Convicted in two cases
The party has also said that Dhulu Mahto has been convicted in two cases with a punishment of one year and 18 months. His appeal in both cases is pending in the Jharkhand High Court.
Charges framed in four cases
Notably, charges have been framed in four of the 19 cases. The cases in which the charges have been framed also involve the one in which he has been booked under the Arms Act.
Why is framing of charges important?
Notably, framing charges under CrPC is a pivotal stage in criminal proceedings where a court formally accuses an individual (the accused) of committing a specific offence based on evidence and allegations presented by the prosecution.
The framing of charges marks a significant milestone in the journey toward justice in criminal cases.
BJP cites uniform reason to select all candidates
Ironically, the BJP has painted all 13 nominees with the same brush and cited the same tailormade reason for selecting them as it cited in the case of Dhulu Mahto.
Who is Dhulu Mahto?
Dhulu Mahto was first time elected MLA from the Baghmara assembly constituency in 2009 on the ticket of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) of former chief minister Babulal Marandi who formed the party after parting way from BJP.
The controversial MLA joined the BJP in 2014 and was elected MLA from the same constituency. In the 2019 assembly elections, Dhulu Mahto retained his seat.
He has replaced three-term MP Pashupati Nath Singh. Soft-spoken and popular among electorates, Singh has been reportedly denied a ticket this time due to his age.
The Lok Sabha election will be held in Dhanbad on May 25.
