New Delhi: BJP councillor from Chandigarh, Anil Masih, who was accused of deliberately defacing eight ballot papers during the Chandigarh mayoral elections in January, has reiterated his stand that he kept some ballots separately believing they were defaced.
In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Masih has denied the allegations of tampering levelled against him and claimed that incessant criticism of his actions has caused him immense trauma, compelling him to seek professional help for depression.
Given to the court Tuesday, Masih’s affidavit states that he went for counselling to PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research), Chandigarh, soon after a “purported” video recording of the election process was leaked.
He was subjected to name-calling and “ad hominems” by members of political parties on mainstream as well as social media. This put him under immense mental trauma, forcing him to consult a specialist in PGIMER, who prescribed him depression and anxiety disorder drugs for a period of two weeks, it adds.
Masih’s affidavit was filed in response to the Supreme Court’s 20 February order that put him on notice for contempt. During the hearing of a petition filed by Kuldeep Kumar, AAP candidate for the mayor’s post in Chandigarh, the court had on that day commented against Masih’s conduct, while noting that all the eight ballot papers declared invalid by him were in the petitioner’s favour.
In a rare move, the top court had ordered that Kumar will take over as Chandigarh mayor — setting aside the 30 January result that held BJP candidate Manoj Kumar Sonkar as the winner — but did so after upbraiding Masih for the manner in which he presided over the election process.
A day earlier, on 19 February, Masih was given an opportunity to explain his conduct, during which he maintained that he genuinely believed the ballot papers were defaced.
Following the political storm that followed the mayoral polls, the BJP had dropped Masih from the party’s minority cell.
In his affidavit Tuesday, Masih repeated his version and said the defaced ballots were marked and kept separately so that they could be inspected later. He further claimed that he had asked the representatives of political parties to come forward to inspect the ballot papers, including the defaced ones.
However, he alleged, two representatives belonging to the AAP snatched some of the ballot papers and mutilated them. The two along with others fled with the ballot papers which, according to his affidavit, were retrieved by the marshalls of the House.
The media coverage of the incident offended his privacy and mental health for which he is still undergoing treatment, Masih’s affidavit submits. Since the 20 February hearing, Masih has taken two online consultations with experts, it adds.
His wife, the affidavit says, has also received a message from the doctors about the precautions that need to be undertaken for Masih’s well-being. The recommendations include that one family member should be with Masih all the time and sharp objects such as blades/knife, as well as mosquito repellant, liquid detergent, inflammable substance and dupatta should be kept away from the patient in a safe locker.
Masih has annexed the medical prescriptions as well as provided a screenshot of the message his wife has received on the precautionary measures to the court.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
may this cheater of democracy rot in jail forever…no mercy should be shown to him