In an interesting development related to the model code of conduct violation during 2013 Assembly elections, a candidate was awarded a one-year jail term by a court at Sidlaghatta in Chickballapur district.
Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court judge N.A. Srikantha pronounced the judgment on Monday, handing over the jail term and ₹ 10,000 fine on D.R. Shivakumar, who contested from Sidlaghatta Assembly constituency on the Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) ticket.
He was accused of violating the code as officials found T-shirts, trousers and saris worth ₹ 6,35,000 at his office in Haradi. The materials were seized by the Returning Officer and flying squad officials and a case was registered in Sidlaghatta Rural police station on April 13, 2013.
The judge also directed that the convicted has to undergo three months additional jail term if he fails to pay the fine.
However, the court granted conditional bail to Mr. Shivakumar as he filed an appeal immediately after the judgment.
