allahabad-hc-suspends-raj-babbar-s-conviction-in-1996-polling-officer-assault-case

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has suspended the conviction of Congress leader Raj Babbar in a 1996 case of assault on a polling officer, according to court documents obtained on Friday.

 

Justice Mohammad Faiz Alam Khan issued the order in response to an application filed by Babbar, 71, challenging a sessions court ruling that declined to stay his conviction in the case.

 

Babbar's lawyer, Gaurav Mehrotra, argued that a magistrate court had convicted the leader on July 7, 2022, and sentenced him to two years in prison. Babbar subsequently appealed the decision in the sessions court.

 

While the sessions court granted bail to Babbar pending the appeal, it declined to suspend the conviction order, prompting Babbar to seek relief from the High Court.

 

During proceedings, Mehrotra contended that the trial court had failed to adequately consider statements from key witnesses. The state government opposed the application.

 

In its ruling, the High Court noted Babbar's extensive political career, having served as a five-time Member of Parliament, and emphasized the upcoming general elections announced by the Election Commission. The court deemed it crucial for Babbar to file the application seeking suspension of his conviction.

 

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The court suspended Babbar's conviction and directed the state government to submit a counter-affidavit. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on May 1, 2024.

 

The case stems from an FIR lodged on May 2, 1996, by polling officer Krishna Singh Rana at Wazirganj police station against Babbar, who was then a candidate for the Samajwadi Party, along with Arvind Singh Yadav and others.

 

The complaint alleged that Babbar and his associates assaulted Rana and Shiv Kumar Singh outside a polling station, following false claims of bogus voting made by Babbar.

 

Following an investigation, the police filed a charge sheet against Babbar and Yadav on September 23, 1996. The trial court subsequently summoned the accused, and charges were framed against Babbar on March 7, 2020. He was convicted in the case on July 7, 2022.