DNA Correspondent
Ahmedabad.
A local court on Monday prohibited BJP MLA Jetha Bharwad from entering his constituency where a criminal case has been registered against him. A murder case was registered against Bharwad following an incident of firing during the recently concluded assembly polls. He is MLA from Shahera constituency in Panchmahals district.
Before adjourning the hearing on Bharwad's anticipatory bail application, district judge DT Soni ordered him not to enter his constituency till the court decides on his plea. The court also directed police not to arrest the MLA and to provide him adequate security till further orders.
An FIR was registered against Bharwad and nine others in connection with a firing incident at a polling booth in Tarsang village which falls under the Sahera assembly segment, during the second phase of voting on December 17. Eight rounds were allegedly fired from the machine gun of Bharwad's bodyguard, causing injuries to four. Fearing arrest, the legislator had sought anticipatory bail last week.
On Monday, Bharwad appeared in the court surrounded by a large number of supporters, who shouted slogans in the court compound. During the hearing, the judge asked the ruling party legislator to restrain his supporters and not to disrupt the proceedings. After completion of arguments by Bharwad's counsel, the court fixed December 26 for further hearing.
The MLA had been absconding since December 18 when he escaped from a private hospital in Ahmedabad where he was brought under detention by a police team for CT-scan after he suffered injuries in stone pelting at Tarsang. Eight policemen, including an inspector, who were part of his escort, were suspended for dereliction of duty.
