Chatra: Election of Chatra Municipal Council chairperson Ataur Rahman has been challenged before a local court, with two defeated candidates accusing him of concealing information related to his children in the poll affidavit.Separate petitions have been filed in the Chatra civil court by Aman Yadav and Rajesh Shah, who secured second and third positions, respectively, in the Feb 27 civic body polls, alleging that Rahman provided “false information” in his affidavit by declaring only two children, despite having three. They claimed his third child was born after Feb 9, 2013, making him ineligible to contest the poll under provisions of the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011.As per Section 18 of the Act, candidates with more than two children born after the cut-off date are barred from contesting municipal elections.The complainants argued that despite this restriction, he “mislead voters”. They further claimed that documentary evidence, including entries in the ration card and school admission records of the children, have been submitted before the court.According to the petitions, names of three children — Nargis Naz, Md Aseer and Md Janati Naz — are recorded with Rahman as their father. The petitioners sought cancellation of Rahman’s election, a ban on him in any future polls and legal action.Earlier, both petitioners also submitted written complaints to the state election commission and the district administration seeking a probe.When contacted, Chatra additional collector Arvind Kumar told TOI that affidavits submitted during nomination are accepted if no objections are raised at that stage. “The two-child norm under the 2013 rules is applicable. Now, that the matter is in court, any document sought will be provided by the election office,” he said.Rahman secured 6,111 votes, defeating Yadav by a margin of 1,492 votes. Shah finished third, garnering 3,844 votes, while all other candidates forfeited their deposits.Efforts to contact Rahman were unsuccessful.In Dhanbad district too, a defeated candidate has challenged election of deputy mayor Arun Chouhan accusing him of hiding criminal cases in his affidavit. The matter is sub judice.
