Bengaluru, April 18 (UNI) In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday quashed the 'voter bribery' case against BJP MLA and former Minister Shashikala Jolle related to the 2023 State Assembly election.
Jolle was charged under sections 171(E) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. However, Justice Krishna S Dixit, while delivering the verdict, observed that the allegations did not meet the criteria for bribery under section 171(E) of the IPC.
Justice Dixit highlighted that for an act to be considered bribery, there must be a minimum of two parties involved: one who offers or gives gratification and another who accepts it. He emphasized that merely possessing money suspected to be used for electoral offences did not qualify as bribery.