Malegaon blast accused gets court nod to contest UP election

The Special National Investigating Agency Court on Thursday allowed the Malegaon 2008 blast accused Major (retd) Ramesh Upadhyay to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Uttar Pradesh.

The decision came after the investigating agency accepted the application made by the accused in this regard last week. However, the court is yet to decide on the application for an interim bail filed by Upadhyay. In his plea, Upadhyay said he needs bail so that he could travel across his constituency and meet his voters.

Upadhyay in his application mentioned that the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha had chosen him to contest election for two seats in Bairia (Ballia district) and Meerut.

The Mahasabha had been in touch with the son of the accused, who has already made preparations for the election campaign.

Upadhyay had made a similar application during the 2009 general elections.