Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal

Bhopal, Apr 3: Rajendra Bharti has been disqualified from the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly following his conviction in a cheating case, officials said on Friday.

The Vidhan Sabha authorities issued a notification late Thursday night annulling his membership from the Datia assembly seat, declaring it vacant. The order was issued by Assembly Principal Secretary Arvind Sharma.

Bharti, who had defeated senior Narottam Mishra in the 2023 Assembly elections, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by a Delhi court in connection with a cheating case.

The court, presided over by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh, also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on Bharti and co-accused Raghuvir Sharan Prajapati.

The case pertains to the alleged forgery of bank records to secure illegal interest payments between 1998 and 2011. Bharti and his associate were convicted on charges including criminal conspiracy and cheating.

With the conviction and sentence exceeding two years, Bharti stands disqualified from the assembly under prevailing legal provisions, and the Datia seat has been declared vacant.