HC stays trial against former Union Minister Srinivasa Prasad for poll code violation

The High Court of Karnataka on Monday stayed proceedings against former Union Minister and six-time Member of Parliament V Srinivasa Prasad in a case wherein he allegedly violated the election code of conduct in 2017. An election officer filed a complaint against him for violating the election code of conduct before the jurisdictional Nanjangud rural police station.

The High Court of Karnataka on Monday stayed proceedings against former Union Minister and six-time Member of Parliament V Srinivasa Prasad in a case wherein he allegedly violated the election code of conduct in 2017. He allegedly openly handed out Rs 100 to a resident of Devasarahalli. Prasad was campaigning for a by-election to the Nanjangud Assembly constituency that year when the alleged incident happened. An election officer filed a complaint against him for violating the election code of conduct before the jurisdictional Nanjangud rural police station. A case under Section 171 H of the Indian Penal Code (illegal payments in connection with election) is pending before the Magistrate Court for MLAs/MPs. Then, Prasad approached the High Court, seeking a quashing of the FIR and proceedings. After hearing the arguments, Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav stayed further proceedings in the case and posted the petition for further hearing.