UP Polls: FIR Against Chhattisgarh CM Baghel For Allegedly Flouting Covid-19 Norms

The alleged violation took place when Chhattisgarh CM Baghel, along with some supporters, was doing door-to-door campaign for Congress candidate Pankhuri Pathak.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Pic Courtesy: ANI / Twitter

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday reached Noida to campaign for Congress candidate Pankhuri Pathak, who will be taking on the sitting Noida MLA Pankaj Singh in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

As per a PTI report, Uttar Pradesh police lodged an FIR against CM Baghel for allegedly violating Covid guidelines issued by the Election Commission for Assembly Elections in poll-bound states.

The alleged violation took place when Chhattisgarh CM Baghel, along with some supporters, was doing door-to-door campaign for Congress candidate Pankhuri Pathak, contesting from Noida assembly seat in Sorkha village.

According to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission, not more than five people can take part in door-to-door election campaign.

Uttar Pradesh | FIR has been registered against Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and others in Noida for violating COVID norms while campaigning for the upcoming assembly elections: Gautam Budh Nagar Police https://t.co/3uSGxcI5nE

— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2022

It is being alleged that Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel was accompanied by a large number of supporters when he went for the door-to-door to seek votes in support of Congress' Noida candidate Pankhuri Pathak.

Police has started investigation by registering an FIR in the matter  A Noida Police official told PTI that an FIR has been lodged against CM Baghel and 'others' under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 188, 269, 270 and Epidemic Act.

"The FIR was lodged against Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and others for violating COVID-19 rules as set by the Election Commission when they were in the Sector 113 police station area today (Sunday), a police spokesperson said.

Pankhuri Pathak also alleged police failure in controlling crowd during a popular CM's visit and said they are not afraid of the FIR.

"The fear of the growing support base of the Congress has started reflecting. I and three other people were with the Chhattisgarh CM. Now when a popular chief minister comes, people come to meet him. It is the failure of the police that the crowd was allowed to gather there. The Congress is strongly contesting the elections in Noida. We are not afraid of FIR, she told PTI.