NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal may be behind bars for money laundering, but he will still get to vote in the presidential election
Chhagan Bhujbal
ADVERTISEMENT
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal may be behind bars for money laundering, but he will still get to vote in the presidential election.
Former deputy chief minister Bhujbal, who is currently lodged in Arthur Road jail, filed moved court with an application, stating that he has a constitutional right to cast a vote and hence he should be allowed to do so.
The Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on Monday granted his application.
The special court judge, AN Sirsikar, ordered, "Jail superintendent and CP Mumbai are directed to take appropriate steps for producing him at the place of polling with sufficient police escort for the purpose of casting vote for the election of the president of India.
After casting vote, he shall immediately be taken back to Arthur road jail. Registrar sessions is directed to communicate this order to the election commission of India, as well as principal secretary, Maharashtra legislature secreteriat."
Special ED prosecutor Hiten Venegavkar, objecting to the application, had last week told the judge that this special court has no jurisdiction to pass orders on the constitutional rights of the applicant. He said that the court could not direct the election commission to make any special provisions for the prisoner, and that this can be only done by the High Court in writ jurisdiction.