Poll officer of Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir is seeking to launch an FIR against BJP leaders for violating model code of conduct. The leaders allegedly bribed media persons to report in favour of BJP party during the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. According to poll officer, the leaders gave money to media persons in envelope.
The inquiry was ordered by Leh District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Avny Lavasa. “On Tuesday, we approached the district court through police, seeking directions for registration of an FIR in the matter. However, the court has not issued any order in the matter so far,” Anvy told The Indian Express.
She also pointed out that though the complaints filed an alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct by BJP leaders, it amounted to a criminal offence. “We are pleading for registration of an FIR in the matter. There are now three complaints — one from us, and two others made by the Press Club Leh to me and SHO Leh. Police are now combining all complaints into one”, Avny further said.
The Leh Press Club has lodged separate complaints with the District Election Officer and SHO, Leh accusing BJP leaders Ravinder Raina and MLC Vikram Randhawa of bribing media persons at a press conference on May 2 to report polls in their favour.
In response, Raina said that the envolopes did not contain money and were invitation cards. The envelopes contained invitation cards for a public rally to be addressed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after two days. “We had printed nearly 2,000 cards to invite prominent people to her public rally and some of these were delivered to media persons also,’’ he said.