Jhargram: PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato,
who is in judicial custody for about one and a half years,
will contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections from
Jhargram seat in West Midnapore district as an Independent
candidate.
Permission for contesting the election from jail was
granted by Jhargram Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate
Sheikh Mohammed Rejja today on a written application by
Mahato.
The magistrate directed the jail administration to help
the People`s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) former
spokesman in his effort to contest the election.
Mahato`s counsel Kaushik Sinha said his client would
contest the election as an Independent candidate from Jhargram
seat.
Mahato (47) was arrested on September 26, 2009 from
Lalgarh area under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)
and several sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Jhargram goes to poll on May 10.
Election Commission sources here said an undertrial can
contest a poll if his or her name figures in the electoral
roll.
PTI
