Hearing in Sanjay Singh poll code violation case deferred until May 14

The hearing in a model code of conduct violation case involving AAP leader Sanjay Singh was deferred by a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur on Thursday after the investigating officer failed to appear for deposition. Advocate Madan Pratap Singh, appearing for the AAP Rajya Sabha MP, said the case was registered at Bandhua Kalan police station and is currently under trial in the MP-MLA court.

The hearing in a model code of conduct violation case involving AAP leader Sanjay Singh was deferred by a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur on Thursday after the investigating officer failed to appear for deposition. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for May 14. Advocate Madan Pratap Singh, appearing for the AAP Rajya Sabha MP, said the case was registered at Bandhua Kalan police station and is currently under trial in the MP-MLA court. He said almost all evidence in the case has already been recorded and the investigating officer's testimony was scheduled for Thursday. However, the hearing could not proceed due to the officer's absence. ''The court has now fixed May 14 for the next hearing, when the investigating officer's statement is likely to be recorded,'' the counsel said. The case pertains to an alleged violation of the model code of conduct during the three-tier panchayat elections in April 2021. According to the prosecution, an election meeting in support of district panchayat member candidate Salma Begum was organised without permission in Hasanpur village under Bandhua Kalan police station area on April 13, 2021. Police had registered a case against Sanjay Singh, 12 named persons and 45 unidentified supporters in connection with the matter. After investigation, charges were filed against 11 accused, including Maqsood Ansari, Salim Ansari and Jagdish Yadav. Other accused in the case had earlier secured bail. A bailable warrant had also been issued against Sanjay Singh due to his repeated absence from court proceedings. In July 2024, the AAP leader surrendered before the court and was released after furnishing two sureties of Rs 20,000 each and a personal bond. Earlier, in June last year, the special court had rejected discharge applications moved by the accused and framed charges after taking cognisance of the chargesheet.