Congress Leader Raj Babbar Acquitted in 1996 Poll Assault Case by Lucknow Court
A special MP-MLA court in Lucknow on Wednesday acquitted senior Congress leader Raj Babbar in a nearly three-decade-old case related to the alleged assault on a polling officer during the 1996 elections. The court set aside a lower court's conviction and sentence awarded two years ago, granting Babbar full relief in the matter.
Court Order and Legal Proceedings
The order was passed by Special Judge Harbans Narayan, who allowed Babbar's appeal against the trial court judgment. The judge overturned his conviction and granted him complete relief in the case. This decision marks a significant legal victory for the veteran politician, who had been sentenced in July 2022 by a lower court to two years' imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 6,500.
Background of the Case and Charges
The case dates back to May 2, 1996, when a polling officer, Krishna Singh Rana, lodged an FIR at Wazirganj police station. According to the complaint, Babbar, who was then a Samajwadi Party candidate, along with his supporters, had allegedly entered a polling booth and accused officials of facilitating bogus voting. The conviction was under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Unlawful assembly
- Assault on a public servant
- Use of criminal force to deter a public servant from duty
- Voluntarily causing hurt
The recent acquittal brings closure to this long-standing legal battle, highlighting the complexities and duration of judicial processes in India. The ruling underscores the importance of appellate reviews in ensuring justice, as the higher court found grounds to overturn the previous verdict based on the evidence and arguments presented.
