Gautam Gambhir must face action for holding rally without permit: EC

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir must face action for “holding a political rally without taking permission”, the Election Commission said on Saturday.

The EC has asked the East Delhi returning officer to file a case against Gambhir.

Just days into his political career, Gautam Gambhir has found himself at the centre of a few controversies already. the EC’s order comes barely a day after Aam Aadmi Party’s Atishi lodged a criminal complaint against the cricket star for allegedly holding two voter ID cards - one from Karol Bagh and another from Rajinder Nagar.

She claimed that Gambhir, in his affidavit to the returning officer while filing his nomination had “concealed the information that he is also registered to vote in Karol Bagh, which is punishable under Sec 125A of the Representation of the People Act with up to 6 months jail time.”

Gambhir had joined the BJP on March 22, saying that he was impressed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.

Gambhir has fielded the former cricket star from the East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.

A Delhi court will hear the matter of the criminal complaint against Gambhir on May 1.

Gautam Gambhir had held a massive roadshow in Delhi on Tuesday ahead of filing his nomination from East Delhi. The BJP has fielded Gambhir from the constituency in place of sitting MP Maheish Girri.

The seven Lok Sabha constituencies of Delhi will go to polls on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

First Published: Apr 27, 2019 14:30 IST