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EC rejects ex-convict's candidature

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and dissolved Lok Sabha member Chhatar Singh Darbar's nomination has been rejected on scrutiny.

Reason: He was sentenced to life imprisonment 11 years ago.

According to Returning Officer B V R Subramaniam, Darbar's papers were rejected under clause eight of the Representation of People's Act.

He was convicted in a murder case by the district session court in 1987. However, he was later pardoned by the state governor.

The BJP has now declared Darbar's wife Hemlata, who had filed papers as a cover candidate, as its nominee.

Darbar was elected from the Dhar constituency in 1996. He defeated Congressman Suraj Bhan Solanki by more than 81,000 votes.

Of the eight nominations received till Tuesday in Dhar, four were rejected and one withdrawn, leaving three candidates in the fray. Besides Hemlata, the other contestants are Gajendra Singh Rajukhedi (Congress) and Gopal Singh (independant).

UNI

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