Hasirani Rath Affidavit Case: Calcutta High Court Reserves Order in Nandigram Bypoll Matter

The Calcutta High Court has reserved its order in a case concerning BJP candidate Hasirani Rath's election affidavit for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll.

The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee approached the court alleging discrepancies in the age and educational-qualification details recorded in Rath's affidavit. The dispute has focused on the age mentioned in the affidavit and the year stated for passing the secondary or Class 10 examination.

During the earlier hearing, counsel for Hasirani Rath and the Election Commission questioned the maintainability of the petition, arguing that the election process had already begun and that such issues could be raised through an election petition after the poll process.

The petitioning side has sought scrutiny of the documents and the information submitted in the affidavit. The BJP has rejected the allegations and said the discrepancy was the result of a printing error, while also citing supporting birth and school records.

The Nandigram bypoll is scheduled for October 6. The High Court's reserved order will determine the next legal development in the case.