The Ellenabad Assembly constituency in Sirsa district has the maximum number of candidates in fray with criminal cases against them from among 30 constituencies across 14 states, where bypoll is slated to take place on October 30.

Ellenabad, from where Abhay Singh Chautala, scion of the Devi Lal clan, is seeking re-election, also flaunts the presence of maximum number of “crorepatis”, with Abhay Singh Chautala himself declaring a fortune of Rs 65 crore in his assets affidavit.

According to the data compiled by election watchdog body Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), out of 19 candidates from the constituency, six have criminal cases against them. Topping the list is Independent candidate Savita Kajal, who has four cases pending against her, including one charge related to obscene acts and songs (Section 294 of the IPC) and multiple charges related to extortion and criminal intimidation.

Independent candidate Prithvi Singh has four cases pending against him, including causing hurt by dangerous weapons and means (Section 324 of the IPC).

Independent candidates Bharat Singh and Vikal Pachar, INLD candidate Abhay Singh Chautala and BJP nominee Gobind Kanda are other candidates with charges against them.

According to the ADR, charges against Vikal Pachar include assault or use of criminal force on woman with intent to disrobe (Section 354B of the IPC).

Abhay Singh has two old CBI cases pending against him. BJP’s Gobind Kanda has been booked under the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963.The case is under investigation.

Besides throwing a strong electoral challenge to three-time Ellenabad MLA Abhay Singh, Kanda has also matched the INLD nominee in terms of wealth, as he has declared total assets worth Rs 65 crore.

While Abhay Singh, who has listed his profession as “businessman and agriculturist,” declared an income of over Rs 1.19 crore in the last financial year, Kanda declared making Rs 11.99 lakhs in 2020-21.

Kanda’s liability has been given as over Rs 24 crore against Rs 1.56 crore declared by Abhay.

Pawan Beniwal of Congress, Sant Dharamveer Chotivala (Independent), Captain Mahavir Prashad of BJP and Dalbir (People’s Party of India-Democratic) are the other “crorepatis” contesting from Ellenabad.

‘Crorepatis’ to battle it out too

• INLD candidate Abhay Singh Chautala declared Rs65 crore in his assets affidavit, throwing a strong challenge to BJP’s Gobind Kanda, who also declared total assets worth Rs65 crore
• Congress’ Pawan Beniwal, Ind Sant Dharamveer Chotivala, BJP’s Capt Mahavir Prashad and Dalbir (People’s Party of India-Democratic) are other “crorepatis” candidates