Rajasthan BJP MLA Kanwarlal Meena Surrenders Amid Conviction Controversy; Disqualification Decision Pending

New Delhi/Jaipur:
With the Supreme Court’s two-week relief period coming to an end, convicted BJP MLA Kanwarlal Meena surrendered before a court in Manohar Thana, Jhalawar district on Wednesday. However, the fate of his Assembly membership remains undecided, as Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani stated he is still consulting legal experts on the matter.

Meena, a two-time legislator from Anta and Manohar Thana, was sentenced to three years in prison for threatening a government officer with a revolver in 2005. According to the Representation of the People Act, any elected representative sentenced to more than two years is subject to immediate disqualification.

Though initially acquitted by a trial court, Meena was convicted by an appellate court in 2020, a verdict upheld by the Rajasthan High Court earlier this month. His challenge to the Supreme Court was dismissed, with the bench observing: “Elected representatives need to discipline themselves… This is one of those rare cases where somebody has been convicted. Otherwise, you do everything and anything and get away with it.”

Despite the conviction, the Assembly has not taken action yet. Sources indicate the BJP may be exploring options such as seeking a Governor’s pardon or a commutation of the sentence to avoid Meena’s disqualification.

Meena’s criminal record spans 27 cases over 26 years, involving allegations of rioting, assault on public servants, promoting religious enmity, defiling places of worship, house trespassing, extortion, and obstruction of officials. While most cases ended in acquittal or compromise, the 2005 case marks the first time he will serve a prison term.

During a Supreme Court hearing, senior advocate S Muralidhar described Meena’s attacks on public officials as his “specialisation.”

Notable Cases Against Meena:

• 1999: Charged with attempt to murder.
• 2005: Threatened a Sub-Divisional Magistrate with a revolver.
• 2011: Assaulted a senior health department officer.
• 2016: Accused of abuse and molestation by women activists during the ‘Jawabdehi Yatra’, though later acquitted.

The latest FIR against him was filed in August 2023, for allegedly assaulting a constable and obstructing a public servant.

As political pressure builds, Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra led a delegation to meet Governor Haribhau Bagade, demanding Meena’s disqualification. Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully also urged the Speaker to act, citing constitutional responsibility. These meetings followed Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s visit to the Governor, officially labeled a “courtesy call” but widely believed to be connected to the matter.

The Speaker’s office has sought a legal opinion from the state Advocate General, expected within days. Devnani assured a “quick and fair decision,” adding that the court’s judgment must be carefully reviewed.

Meanwhile, the Congress has termed the delay a “blot on democracy”, while BJP spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj defended Meena, stating, “Politicians face numerous cases, but are considered guilty only when courts pronounce them so.”

Meena’s legal counsel confirmed a revision petition in the Supreme Court is in the works.