Did Bihar Dy CM Samrat Choudhary Face Court for 2014 Model Code of Conduct Violation?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Samrat Choudhary appeared in court regarding a 2014 Model Code of Conduct violation.
- Charges were framed against him and four others.
- All accused pleaded not guilty in court.
- The case could impact Bihar's political climate ahead of assembly elections.
- The court is moving to the evidence stage in the proceedings.
Patna, June 26 (NationPress) Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and BJP figure Samrat Choudhary made an appearance at the civil court in Munger district on Thursday, regarding a case linked to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
The proceedings occurred in the courtroom of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Pankaj Kumar, where formal charges were laid against him and four other co-defendants.
This case revolves around allegations that they held a public meeting and conducted a procession without obtaining prior administrative consent during the election period.
An FIR was lodged against eight individuals in relation to this case, with three having already passed away.
The remaining five defendants, including Samrat Choudhary, Uday Narayan Chaudhary, Sameer Madhukar, Diwakar, and Yogendra, were all present in court on Thursday.
After the charges were framed, all five defendants refuted the allegations, and the court is set to move into the evidence examination phase for further hearings.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary stated, "I have utmost respect for the court, which is why I have appeared voluntarily. We remain confident in the judicial system."
His attorney, Mukund Kumar Singh, affirmed that the defendants have entered a plea of not guilty and are ready to challenge the charges in court.
Singh highlighted that the defense team will present their case and evidence during the trial as per legal norms.
The court is anticipated to set a date for the next hearing regarding evidence review in the upcoming weeks.
The outcome of this case could potentially establish a precedent, given that breaches of the Model Code of Conduct are a sensitive and closely monitored issue in India’s electoral landscape.
Samrat Choudhary stands as one of the most powerful and influential leaders of the BJP in Bihar.
As the next Bihar Assembly elections approach in nearly four months, it will be intriguing to see how the court proceedings unfold.