New Delhi: Union Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel has been acquitted after almost seven years in a case of violation of section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The special court also acquitted former MP Prabhudayal Katheria and former MLA Ram Pratap Singh, as per IANS.
According to the report, Etmadpur police station in Agra had registered a case against the leaders over defiance of a notice issued to them. The police issued the notice against Mahapanchayat organised on April 8, 2016.
The leaders carried out a Mahapanchayat illegally, after which the police initiated proceedings against 11 people, including the three leaders.
The prosecution could not call any independent witnesses to prove its charge nor was such a witness named in the charge sheet, hence, the leaders were acquitted due to a lack of any evidence.
Further, the plaintiff in the above-mentioned case had passed away, and the court found inconsistencies in the statements of all the prosecution witnesses.
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In February 2022, SP Singh Baghel’s convoy was attacked late Tuesday evening in Karhal in the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP had alleged that Baghel's convoy was attacked by "SP goons" with stones and sticks near Attikullapur village in Mainpuri district.
Thereafter, the Home Ministry provided him with 'Z' category security.
SP Baghel lodged a case of murder at Karhal police station. The minister alleged that he and his supporters were going from Kabrai to Karhal when SP workers, hiding in the fields, attacked the convoy.
Baghel also said that one of the miscreants fired at his convoy and threatened him not to challenge 'his leader'.
Baghel is contesting the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls against Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav from the Karhal seat last year.