Author: Correspondent
Publication: Rediff.com
Date: November 4, 2008
URL: http://www.rediff.com///news/2008/nov/04stamp.htm
The Indian stamp paper meant for an affidavit
is a valid legal document in any part of India, but not in Jammu and Kashmir.
The returning officer of Bandipora rejected
the nomination papers filed by a Kashmiri undertrial in Delhi's Tihar Jail
on the grounds that the Indian stamp paper on which he had used is legally
invalid in the state.
The undertrial, Mohammad Iqbal Jan, is a candidate
of the Panthers Party, of Professor Bhim Singh, a Supreme Court lawyer from
Jammu known for his legal battles in courts against unlawful detentions of
Pakistani nationals in Indian prisons.
His lawyers say since Iqbal Jan had filed
his papers from Delhi, he had no option but to use the Indian stamp paper
as the J&K stamp papers are not available in Delhi. His case has been
referred to the chief electoral officer, who is still undecided on whether
to allow him to contest.
Iqbal Jan's family knows he can not win, however,
they agreed to field him in the hope that his case and "illegal detention"
may get highlighted in the course of the election campaign.
