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Pune civic polls: Murder suspects, molesters in fray

Candidates have declared details of criminal cases.

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From murder suspects to molesters, to gambling den owners to rioters, a host of candidates with dubious backgrounds are contesting the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections this year.

A look at the affidavits filed by these candidates proves this.

Except Shiv Sena, every major political party has given tickets to candidates with a criminal past. With the elections only five days away, these candidates are going all out to woo voters by portraying themselves as ‘modern-day Robin Hoods’.

There are over a dozen candidates who, in their affidavits, have declared the details of the criminal cases pending against them.

As per the law, every candidate contesting the election must file an affidavit to disclose information on their background, whether one has a criminal record or not and if they do whether they have been sentenced to imprisonment or fine.

Prior to six months of filing nominations, the candidates are also required to reveal whether a legal case is pending against them, for an offence, which is punishable with an imprisonment of two years or more. If a candidate is involved in any such case, he is required to furnish the details of the case.

Rioting is the most common charge against the candidates, but they always claim that the charge was pressed only as a technicality when they staged agitations on roads to press for various demands.

The Congress has given ticket to sitting corporator Deepak Mankar, whose election affidavit reveals that he has charges of causing grievous hurt, molestation, trespassing, mischief, causing damage to property and rioting against him.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has given ticket to Rajendra Masole, whose election affidavit declares that he has a case filed against him under the Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887, for running a gambling den. Masole has also been charged with assault in a separate case.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is often referred to as a party with a difference by its leaders and workers, has given candidature to Ravindra Salegaonkar. Salegaonkar’s affidavit says that he has been a suspect in a murder case, besides being charged with robbery and rioting.

However, there are several candidates, such as Subhash Jagtap, Raju Tungatkar and Udaykant Andekar, whose affidavits are not available.

Additional commissioner of police (crime), Anant Shinde, said, “We are aware that several people with criminal past are contesting the election. We are also keeping an eye on such candidates. Officers from the Crime Branch are watching the activities of such candidates very keenly.”

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