Ex-MP Jaya Prada Declared as Absconder by UP Court in Election Violation Cases

Former Member of Parliament (MP) and renowned actor Jaya Prada has been declared as an ‘absconder’ by a court in the state of Uttar Pradesh, specifically in Rampur district. This decision was made by the court due to her involvement in two cases related to the violation of election codes.

Jaya Prada, who contested as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in Rampur during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but lost to Azam Khan from the Samajwadi Party, had charges filed against her at two police stations – Kemari and Swar. These charges implicated her for breaching the Model Code of Conduct.

Despite multiple summons issued by the court, Jaya Prada repeatedly failed to make an appearance in court, leading to the issuance of seven non-bailable warrants against her. The court, noting her continuous absence, took a firm stand under the provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and declared her status as an absconder.

The police authorities reported that Jaya Prada has been actively avoiding arrest, with all known contact numbers being unreachable. As a result, the Judge presiding over the case, namely Shobhit Bansal, has directed the Superintendent of Police in Rampur to form a team with the objective of apprehending the former MP.

Jaya Prada, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry with a rich background in both Hindi and Telugu cinema, had a significant political career as well. She began her political journey with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) under the leadership of NT Rama Rao in 1994, later transitioning to the Samajwadi Party and ultimately joining the BJP ahead of the 2019 polls. Throughout her career, she served in various capacities in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.