Ram Kadam, who is contesting from Ghatkopar on a BJP ticket, allegedly violated code of conduct by setting up an office and loudspeakers near a temple
Ram Kadam
A case of violation of the model code of conduct and cheating has been registered against candidate for Ghatkopar constituency, Ram Kadam and two others. According to the police, the former MLA, who is contesting from the BJP ticket after recently quitting the MNS, had opened his campaigning office near a Ganpati temple, even though he had taken permission from the election commission only for a party office at Asalfa village in Ghatkopar.
“We have registered an FIR against Ram Kadam and two others, identified as Sunil Yadav and Sunil Manjrekar, under section 420 (cheating), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of Indian Penal Code, following a complaint by an election commission officer,” said Rajaram Vhanmane, senior police inspector of Ghatkopar police station.
According to police, Kadam had taken permission to open a party office in Asalfa village in Ghatkopar (West), but instead he opened a campaign office, and even installed speakers near the temple for his election campaign.
“Anyone coming to the temple was greeted with the message of voting for him. As per the election code of conduct, no candidate can have a campaigning office near a religious place or school,” said the police officer.
According to police, Kadam claimed that he took permission from the trustees of the temple. However, later it turned out that the man was not authorised to provide the no-objection certificate.
The election commission’s flying squad officer, Vinayak Salvi had registered the offence after he received a complaint that Kadam was using the temple premises to ask for votes.
“We registered the FIR on Monday night and currently we are investigating the matter,” added senior police inspector Vhanmane.
Despite repeated attempts to get in touch with Kadam, the BJP candidate remained unavailable for comment.
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