Devendra Fadnavis Summoned By Court In Connection With Non-Disclosure Of Criminal Cases

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has been summoned by Nagpur Court in connection with a case wherein he is accused of concealing info non-disclosure of two criminal cases against him in election affidavit. The summon has been delivered to him by the city police. “Nagpur (Sadar) police delivered to ex-Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, summons issued by a local court in connection with a case wherein he is accused of concealing information about 2 criminal matters against him, in election affidavit,” said Mahesh Bansode, Nagpur(Sadar)Police Inspector. The development comes a day after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was sworn-in as chief minister of Maharashtra.

Cases of cheating and forgery were filed against Fadnavis in 1996 and 1998, but charges were not framed in both the matters. City-based lawyer Satish Uke alleged that Fadnavis did not disclose this information in his election affidavits.

Uke had filed an application in Nagpur court seeking that criminal proceedings be initiated against the BJP leader.

A magistrate’s court, on November 1, had restored an application seeking criminal proceedings against the Nagpur MLA for alleged non-disclosure.

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The Bombay High Court had upheld the lower court’s earlier order dismissing Uke’s plea. But the Supreme Court, on October 1, directed the magistrate’s court to go ahead with the application filed by Uke.

The magistrate’s court on November 4 said the case would be held as a summary criminal case, and issued notice. “Process (notice) is issued against accused (Fadnavis) for an offence punishable under section 125A of Representation of People Act, 1951,” magistrate SD Mehta said.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis who resigned only three days after he was sworn-in as the CM for a second term with the support of NCP leader Ajit Pawar, has vacated the official residence in South Mumbai. Sources said that Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur, and his family members will continue to reside in the metropolis and that is why he has started hunting for a new house in Mumbai.