By IANS,
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday directed the Patna High Court to hear Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Mohammed Shahabuddin’s plea to suspend his conviction in a criminal case after he expressed a desire contest the Lok Sabha election.
The last date for filing nomination for the Siwan Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar is March 30.
Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice T. Sathasivam issued the direction in view of the last date of filing of nominations.
Shahabuddin was convicted in May 2007 for kidnapping and trying to kill a Communist activist, Chote Lal, in 1999. After convicting the RJD leader, a Siwan court in August 2007 sentenced him to 10 years in jail.
Under electoral laws, anyone convicted for a criminal offence and sentenced to jail for more than two years cannot contesting the election.