JMM MLA Faces Probe Over Alleged Use of Fake Identity in Elections

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravikumar has directed the Seraikela-Kharsawan Deputy Commissioner to investigate claims that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Legislator Dashrath Gagrai used a false identity to contest elections. The order follows a formal complaint filed by Lalji Ram Tiu, an ex-serviceman, who alleges that the three-term Kharsawan MLA is not who he claims to be. Gagrai, a key figure in the ruling JMM-led coalition, vehemently denied the accusations, labelling them politically motivated.

The complaint, first lodged on July 28 and backed by a signed affidavit dated September 18, questions Gagrai's identity at its core. Tiu asserts that the individual serving as MLA under the name Dashrath Gagrai is actually Ramkrishna Gagrai, the elder brother of the real Dashrath Gagrai. Drawing from personal knowledge, documents, and official records, Tiu demands verification of the MLA's credentials, including voter ID and election affidavits. The allegations surfaced amid Jharkhand's recent assembly elections, where Gagrai secured victory from the Kharsawan reserved constituency for the third consecutive term, contributing to the JMM alliance's slim majority.

Ravikumar confirmed forwarding the affidavit-supported complaint to Deputy Commissioner Nitish Kumar Singh for a thorough inquiry, emphasising procedural adherence. He clarified that post-election disputes involving MLAs fall under the state governor's purview, while those concerning MPs require presidential intervention. This distinction highlights the limited window for electoral challenges, as results were declared earlier this month. The probe could scrutinise Gagrai's submitted documents, which have been vetted in prior polls since 2009, when he first won on a JMM ticket.

Also Read: Gunman Crashes Truck into Michigan Church, Kills Four and Injures Eight

Gagrai dismissed the claims as "baseless" in a statement to PTI, pointing to repeated scrutiny of his affidavits across three elections without discrepancies. He accused Tiu, currently on bail in a minor rape case, of habitually targeting those in authority to deflect from his own legal troubles. "The complainant is trying to malign me out of a grudge," Gagrai said.

The controversy risks escalating political tensions in Jharkhand, a mineral-rich state prone to tribal politics, where identity verification issues have occasionally surfaced in elections. As the investigation unfolds, it may test the integrity of the November 2024 polls, which saw high voter turnout in tribal belts like Seraikela-Kharsawan. The JMM, allied with Congress and other parties, has urged swift resolution to avoid derailing governance.

Also Read: Drug Bust in Meghalaya: Rs 2.5 Crore Heroin Seized