The landmark judgment of the Supreme Court that will prevent jailed politicians from contesting elections, even if they are not convicted for any crime, was welcomed in spirit by the political parties of the state. Parties like Congress, NCP and BJP appreciated the ruling saying that it would be a turning point for politics.
The apex court has barred those in jail from contesting elections on the ground that if a jailed person can’t vote, so he shouldn’t contest elections. Reacting to this, MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre said, “The ruling has surely opened the door for good people in politics. This will also help to clean the face of politics.” NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that the ruling has cleared a disparity. “When a jailed person was not allowed to vote, how come a jailed person was allowed to contest elections?” he asked. BJP Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar also said that he would not like to comment on it since it was a court order, but said that the BJP supported the order in spirit. He, however, added that the right of appeal, which is a constitutional right, should not be taken away.
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Arms haul: Accused made friends in jail
AGE CORRESPONDENT
Mumbai, July 11
Mohammed Iliyaz Abdul Aziz Khan, who was recently arrested by the anti-terrorism squad (ATS), had made friends with Naimuddin Shaikh when they were lodged together in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail in 1998. Back then, Naimuddin and his aide were arrested under MCOCA, allegedly after seven AK rifles, 45 hand grenades, detonators and dynamites were found in his possession.
On July 7, Khan was arrested with two of his associates while they were moving in a Chevrolet Cruze in Dadar in Central Mumbai. A revolver, two handguns, eight live cartridges, two choppers, eight cellphones and cash worth `6.50 lakh was seized from them.
A Maharashtra ATS official said, “We are probing the case to find out why had they acquired the firearms. Back in 1998, Khan had shot at one Nasir Lala in Goregaon with a firearm. Lala managed to escape the attack and Khan was nabbed.”
“The Chevrolet Cruze is in the name of one of the accused. We suspect that they bought it from the ill-gotten money received from robberies,” added the official.