Jhargram (WB), April 06: PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato, who is in judicial custody for about one and a half years, will contest the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections from Jhargram seat in West Midnapore district as an Independent candidate.
Permission for contesting the election from jail was granted by Jhargram Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sheikh Mohammed Rejja today on a written application by Mahato.
The magistrate directed the jail administration to help the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) former spokesman in his effort to contest the election.
Mahato’s counsel Kaushik Sinha said his client would contest the election as an Independent candidate from Jhargram seat.
Mahato (47) was arrested on September 26, 2009 from Lalgarh area under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and several sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Jhargram goes to poll on May 10.
-Agencies