Cuttack, March 4: The Orissa High Court delivered a significant verdict on Monday, annulling the election of Mohammed Moquim, the Congress MLA representing Cuttack-Babarati, for purportedly failing to provide comprehensive information regarding criminal cases against him in his affidavit during the 2019 nomination process.

The judgment was rendered during the hearing of a petition filed by BJD leader Debashish Samantaray on July 3, 2019. Samantaray contended that Moquim had omitted certain columns in the declaration form that mandated the disclosure of all criminal cases against a candidate.

The petition, which sought the annulment of Moquim's election and called for fresh polls under the supervision of the Election Commission, also alleged discrepancies in Moquim's declaration of assets and liabilities. The High Court framed 36 issues for consideration in the election case.

Following the court's ruling, the Cuttack-Barabati Assembly Constituency now stands vacant until the next election. Moquim's election nullification in 2019 renders him ineligible to retain the title of ex-MLA. However, he retains the option to appeal the High Court's decision in the Supreme Court.

It is important to note that the High Court's ruling does not comment on Moquim's eligibility to contest future elections.

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