Petition dismissed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 20 2020:
A single bench of High Court of Manipur has dismissed an election petition filed against Khundrakpam MLA Th Lokeshwar by one Thangjam Mohendro of Haraorou in 2017 to declare the election to Khundrakpam AC void and debar the MLA from contesting the election (2017).The order was passed today by Justice MV Muralidharan.
The final hearing of the case was held on January 23 last and the order was kept reserved.
The petition had prayed the Court to declare that the 2017 election to fill the Khundrakpam seat as void and debar Th Lokeshwar from contesting election for a period of six years and punish him under section 125 A of The Representation of People Act 1951 .
The election petition was filed on the ground that the MLA had furnished wrong information in the affidavit filed for the 2017 elections.
The petition had alleged that as per the affidavit, Th Lokeshwar's education qualification is Master of Arts in History, Manipur University 2003 when there is no such person by the name Th Lokeshwar who obtained Master of Arts degree in History from Manipur University in 2003 .
On the other hand, Th Lokeshwar had claimed that he was born to O Khoidumba and O Ibechoubi as natural parents and he was given in adoption to his adoptive parents Thokchom Navakumar and RK Lakhisana Devi after complying with all requisite customary ceremony prevalent in the State of Manipur.
He also submitted that he studied in school under the name Oinam Lokeshwar.
He had used Oinam Lokeshwar as his name in his academic record till completion of his education in 2003 (MA History) from Manipur University, he contended.
The Court after the hearing stated that the qualification of Th Lokeshwar mentioned in the affidavit is correct and observed that further proceeding on the election petition "is nothing but wasting judicial time".
A there is no triable cause of action against the Th Lokeshwar, the election petition is dismissed, said the Court.