In a major setback to the ruling AAP on the eve of the municipal elections, nomination of its candidate, Satveer Singh Sekhon from Ward No. 2 in Samrala, has been rejected following the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The development came after Samrala SDM-cum-Returning Officer Gursimran Kaur appeared before the high court and informed the Bench that the candidature of Sekhon had been cancelled for concealing his criminal record.
The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that the AAP candidate had concealed his criminal record while filing papers. Sekhon had reportedly been convicted in a cheating case in 2022. Sources said he had approached the high court seeking suspension of his sentence and permission to contest the elections, but the plea was dismissed by the court on May 15.
Despite this, his nomination papers were accepted the following day, triggering sharp objections from rival candidates. Akali Dal candidate Amandeep Singh challenged the acceptance of the nomination through counsel Gurvir Singh Dhillon.
Taking serious note of the matter, the high court had summoned the SDM-cum-Returning Officer on Friday and sought an explanation on how the nomination was accepted despite the rejection of relief to the candidate by the court.
During the hearing, the SDM informed the court that Sekhon had concealed material facts regarding his conviction, therefore his nomination has been rejected in accordance with the guidelines.
