By our legal Correspondent
Kochi: The High Court of Kerala on Oct 30, issued notice to Union Minister Suresh Gopi in response to a petition challenging his election from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency and pleaded for cancellation of election.
The court issued the notice while admitting a petition by A S Binoy, a voter of the constituency. According to the petitioner, during the election campaign , Mr Gopi’s election agents and associates had engaged in various corrupt practices as defined under Section 123 of the Peoples Representation Act, 1951. As per the section, appeal made by a candidate or his agent for vote by making use of religious symbol is a corrupt practice.
The petitioner alleged that flex boards with photos of Mr Gopi, Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and the Ram Temple at Ayodhya were placed in the constituency in a conspicuous place in the polling booths. They had thus used the religious symbol of Ram temple to gain votes.
Besides, BJP leader A P Abdullakutty during the campaign had appealed to voters to cast their votes in favour of Gopi keeping in mind the religious symbol of Lord Ram.
The petitioner pleaded for the cancellation of election as there were flagrant violation of the provisions of the Peoples’ Representation Act, 1951.
