Maharashtra polls: FIR against BJP candidate Ram Kadam, two others

MUMBAI: An FIR has been registered against Ram Kadam, BJP candidate from Ghatkopar Assembly constituency, and two others for cheating and violation of model code of conduct, police said today.

"Ram Kadam and two others were booked yesterday under IPC Sections 420 (cheating), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), among others, on a complaint by a vigilance officer of the Election Commission," said Rajaram Vhanmane, Senior Inspector of Ghatkopar.

The vigilance officer alleged the sitting Ghatkopar MLA had set up an office near a temple in the area from where he also campaigned.

"Allegations are that Kadam did not take permission to campaign and secondly political activities are not allowed near or within a religious place," Vhanmane added.

According to police, Kadam claimed to have obtained a no objection certification (NOC) from a representative of the temple. However, later it turned out that the man who issued the NOC was not authorised to do so.

Hence, the person who posed self as the temple representative has also been booked along with Kadam and his associate, he said, adding a probe was on against the trio.

Kadam, who was elected on a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena ticket in 2009, last month joined BJP, which fielded him from Ghatkopar for the October 15 polls.

Kadam was not available for comment.