The Madhya Pradesh high court has cancelled the election of Congress lawmaker Mukesh Malhotra from the Vijaypur assembly seat, citing his failure to declare criminal cases in his election affidavit as a corrupt practice.
Justice GS Ahluwalia of the court's Gwalior bench ruled that Malhotra's deliberate suppression of the information misled the electorate and deprived voters of making an informed choice.
The court declared Ramniwas Rawat, who lost to Malhotra in a by-poll, as elected and ordered the Election Commission of India and the returning officer to complete the formalities.
Congress leader Umang Singhar said they respect the court's decision and will appeal it in the Supreme Court.
