Friday dismissed the application for a stay on the conviction of former MLA Rajendra Bharti from Datia, Madhya Pradesh. His disqualification will remain until his conviction is stayed or his appeal against the judgement is allowed.
Bharti was convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in the Gramin Vikas Bank cheating case in April 2026.
His sentence has already been suspended. Recently, a midterm poll has been announced by the election commission.
Justice Manoj Jain dismissed the application moved on behalf of Rajendra Bharti after hearing the arguments on his application. The detailed order of the High Court is to be uploaded.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved an order on Stay on conviction of Rajendra Bharti.
Senior advocate Mohit Mathur appeared for the respondent, and advocate Abhik Chimni for the petitioner Bharti.
It was submitted by senior counsel that the petitioner has been convicted and a process for the midterm poll has been issued. The process cannot be reversed.
Meanwhile, advocate Abhik Chimni argued that once the conviction is stayed, the vacancy of the seat of MLA will go. He referred to judgement of the Supreme Court.
Bharti has challenged his conviction in the Rural Development Bank cheating case. He had also sought a direction to the election commission directing it not to issue a notification of Mid term poll on the seat that became vacant after his 3-year sentence.
He has appealed against the conviction and sentence in the Gramin Vikas Bank cheating case.
Senior Advocate P Chidambaram alongwith advocate Abhik Chimni, had argued on behalf of Rajendra Bharti. It was argued that Bharti was not the beneficiary in this case and that the trust was the beneficiary. It was also submitted that this case was transferred to Delhi on the petition moved by Bharti, as he was not sure of getting justice in Madhya Pradesh.
