Bhubaneswar: Of the 10 candidates contesting the Pipili bypoll in Puri district on April 17, four contestants have declared criminal cases against themselves with three charged with serious crimes.
This was revealed in an analysis of the affidavits filed by the candidates by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Odisha Election Watch.
Ashrit Pattanayak (BJP)
He has a total of 11 cases registered against him. He is charged under 19 serious sections, including attempt to murder and molestation, and 54 other sections of the IPC.
The serious charges include 9 related to punishment for criminal intimidation, 2 charges related to mischief by injury to public road, bridge, river or channel, 2 charges related to punishment for theft, 2 charges related to punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, 1 charge related to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, 1 charge related to attempt to murder, 1 charge related to house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint, 1 charge related to voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty.
Rudra Pratap Maharathy (BJD)
The BJD nominee has a total of 4 cases against him. He is charged under4 serious sections and 22 other sections of the IPC.
The serious charges include 4 related to punishment for criminal intimidation, 2 charges related to punishment for theft, 2 charges related to mischief by destroying or moving, etc., a land- mark fixed by public authority, 1 charge related to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, 1 charge related to punishment for dacoity and 1 charge related to attempt to murder.
Ajit Mangaraj (Congress)
He has a total of 6 cases pending against him and charged under 8 serious and 15 other sections of the IPC.
The serious charges include 2 related to punishment for criminal intimidation, 1 charge related to house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint, 1 charge related to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, 1 charge related to Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person, 1 charge related to resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person, 1 charge related to Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits and 1 charge related to punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Ashok Pradhan (CPI(ML)(L))
He has 1 case pending against him and charged under 3 sections of the IPC.
These include 1 charge related to punishment for wrongful restraint, 1 charge related to punishment for wrongful confinement and 1 charge related to obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions.
