Indus Valley Times

By Viraj Shukla

Cuttack, Oct. 13: Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim is in news again. This time for the same reason – getting a fine of Rs 10,000 by the High Court of Odisha for wasting its time.

As the lawmaker sought more time to appear for testimony in the false affidavit case, the HC slapped him with a fine of Rs 10,000 for wasting the court’s valuable time.

According to reports, Moquim was to depose before the court on Friday for his testimony in the false affidavit case. However, his counsel filed a petition seeking more time for an appearance in court. Expressing dissatisfaction over it, the court imposed Rs 10,000 fine on the legislator for wasting the court’s time while allowing him to appear on October 17.

The fine amount will be deposited at the welfare fund of the High Court.

Earlier, the legislator had also been fined for not appearing in court in the false affidavit case. On August 4, the High Court had imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Moquim, who had sought time for cross-examination of witnesses in the case.

An election petition was filed by BJD leader Debashish Samantaray challenging Moquim’s election to the State Assembly from Barabati-Cuttack constituency in 2019.

Samantaray alleged that the MLA had suppressed facts with respect to the criminal cases pending against him while filing nomination papers for the 2019 Assembly elections.

On June 20 last year, the HC had dismissed the Congress lawmaker’s plea to reject the petition challenging his election from the Barabati Cuttack Assembly constituency in 2019.

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Photograph: Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim