New Delhi/ Patna: Union Minister and Hajipur MP Chirag Paswan received a significant reprieve on Wednesday as the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition challenging his election to the Lok Sabha.
The court held that it did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the matter, stating that such petitions must be filed before the Patna High Court. Although it had earlier listed the plea, the bench had verbally clarified that the case did not fall within its purview.
The petition, filed by a woman complainant, alleged that she was a victim of sexual harassment orchestrated by Prince Raj, Chirag Paswan’s cousin, and others, and that Chirag Paswan was complicit. She claimed that the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader failed to disclose this alleged involvement and the associated criminal proceedings while filing his nomination papers for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
An FIR in connection with the case was reportedly registered in 2021. The petitioner argued that Paswan’s omission violated Section 125A of the Representation of the People Act, which mandates disclosure of any pending criminal cases. A false affidavit under this provision is punishable with up to six months’ imprisonment.
