Is Jubilee Hills by-election marred by violations? Telangana Congress leader booked!

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Naveen Yadav has been booked for allegedly breaching Election Commission guidelines.
- Distributing voter ID cards is considered a violation of electoral laws.
- The by-election for Jubilee Hills is set for November 11.
- The Model Code of Conduct is now in effect in the Hyderabad district.
- The BRS has selected Maganti Sunitha as its candidate following the passing of the sitting MLA.
Hyderabad, Oct 7 (NationPress) Congress leader Naveen Yadav, a prominent contender for the party's ticket in the upcoming by-election for the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency in Telangana, has been booked by police on Tuesday for allegedly violating the Election Commission of India guidelines.
Following a complaint from an election officer, a case was lodged against him for distributing voter ID cards and purportedly trying to sway voters.
The complaint, filed by Electoral Registration Officer G. Rajinikanth Reddy, led to the case being registered at the Madhura Nagar Police Station.
This action was prompted by a local Telugu newspaper that featured a report with images of a program in Madhura Nagar where Naveen Yadav was seen distributing voter ID cards.
The charges are based on Sections 170, 171, and 174 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 123 (1) and 123 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which pertain to corrupt electoral practices.
Naveen Yadav is among three candidates shortlisted by the Congress party, with his nomination likely to receive approval from the party's central leadership.
This incident occurred just a day after the Election Commission of India declared that the by-election is set for November 11.
The Model Code of Conduct has been effective in the Hyderabad district since Monday, coinciding with the announcement of the by-election schedule.
The vacancy arose due to the passing of the incumbent MLA, Maganti Gopinath of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in June.
The official notification for the by-election will be released on October 13, with the deadline for nominations set for October 21. Scrutiny of nominations will occur on October 22, and candidates can withdraw until October 24.
Vote counting is scheduled for November 14, with the election process concluding by November 16, 2025.
The BRS has announced Maganti Sunitha, the late MLA's wife, as its candidate, while the Congress and BJP have yet to declare their nominees.