Cuttack: A writ petition was filed in the Orissa High Court challenging the election of Kantapada block chairperson Smitarani Swain. Badri Prasad Mishra, a former sarpanch, has filed the petition and made the central revenue divisional commissioner (RDC), collector, Kantapada block development officer, tehsildar, crime branch ADG parties to the case.
The petitioner stated that the post of block chairperson in Kantapada was reserved for OBC (women) category. However, Smitarani belongs to general category.
The petitioner alleged Smitarani was living with her family in Chhattisgarh where she availed the OBC caste certificate. She furnished the forged caste certificate and contested for the samiti member post. Subsequently, she was elected as chairperson, the petitioner alleged.
The petitioner prayed to the court to quash her fake caste certificate and declare her election null and void.
PNN
