'Serve notice to Dimple on petition against her election'

The Allahabad high court on Monday directed a court in Etah to ensure that the notice on a petition challenging unopposed election of Dimple Yadav, wife of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat be served on her.

Justice D P Singh passed the order on the plea filed by one Prabhat Panday, challenging the election of Samajwadi Party member of Parliament, after nobody appeared in the court on the behalf of the Samajwadi Party leader despite issuance of a court notice.

Justice Singh ordered that in case Dimple Yadav was not present at her residence in Etah, the district judge shall ensure that the notice be pasted at her residence.

The petitioner has alleged that he wanted to contest the by-elections for Kannauj seat, which had fallen vacant when sitting MP Akilesh Yadav became the Chief Minister in March, but could not fill the nomination papers as he was abducted by SP supporters.

The Chief Minister's wife was elected unopposed as no other candidate was in the fray. The court has fixed November 22 as the next date of hearing in the matter.