SP MP Dharmendra Yadav, 28 others acquitted in 2022 poll code violation case

Bareilly: An MP-MLA court in Badaun on Thursday acquitted Samajwadi Party MP from Azamgarh and former Badaun MP Dharmendra Yadav, along with 28 others, in a case related to the alleged violation of the model code of conduct during the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.Jagat Singh, Yadav's counsel, told TOI, "The case was registered in 2022 at Civil Lines police station against Yadav and others on charges of distributing gifts to influence voters." He added that the FIR also invoked provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act during the election period.The FIR was lodged under IPC Sections 171F (punishment for undue influence or personation at an election), 171H (illegal payments in connection with an election), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life).Yadav had appeared before the court earlier this week following a notice issued by the additional sessions judge (MP-MLA court). He was accompanied by his counsel and other Samajwadi Party leaders.After hearing the submissions, the court acquitted all 29 accused, stating that the charges could not be substantiated.Notably, a lower court on June 28, 2024, had already acquitted Yadav and others. However, an appeal was later filed in the sessions court, which admitted the plea and issued fresh notices, leading to the latest hearing.