Nagpur: Animal Husbandry Minister Mahadevrao Jankar on December 16, 2016, had decided to withdraw his appeal to quash the Election Commission notice and stay order of the JMFC Court.
It could be mentioned here that a video of Jankar allegedly pressurizing the Election Officer went viral during the Winter Session of Legislative Assembly in Nagpur.
Mahadevrao Jankar had knocked the doors of High Court against the registration of FIR registered against him in Vadsa-Desaiganj Police Station for violation of Election Code of Conduct on the basis of directives of Election Commission on December 10, 2016 and Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court order dated December 13, 2016 directing investigation into the matter. The matter was listed for hearing on December 16, 2016 before a division bench consisting of Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari and Justice Indira Jain.
Jankar claimed that Vadsa Desaiganj Municipal Council election programme was announced on November 15, 2016 and November 27, 2016 was slated to be the last date to file nomination. Local leader Motwani initially filed form as Congress candidate but later wanted to contest as RSP candidate on its official symbol cup-saucer. However, he could not file official AB form and hence requested Returning Officer to treat him as independent candidate, but request was turned down. Jankar then contacted Returning Officer and asked him to consider request of Motwani.
After the video clip of Jankar allegedly threatening Returning Officer surfaced, Congress leader Rajesh Sharma lodged a complaint with Election Commission which issued notice on December 6. Four days later the Election Commission directed registration of offence against Jankar under Section 166, 186 of the Indian Penal Code and 22(6) of the Nagar Panchayat Act. On December 13, 2016 JMFC had directed further investigation.
