Case filed against Bollywood actor Sonu Sood for 'campaigning' for sister during election

A case has been filed against Bollywood actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood for allegedly campaigning during the election in the Indian city of Moga, Punjab. Elections are being held for the Punjab Assembly and his sister Malvika is contesting on a Congress ticket. Sonu was reportedly trying to drum up support for her by engaging with the voters.

A few days earlier, the actor's car was confiscated and he was sent home after he was spotted at a polling booth in the area while the elections were underway, according to The Times of India. It has been alleged that Sonu was not a voter in the Moga constituency, therefore, he was not authorised to move out and “influence” voters or campaign for any political party or candidate.

The Election Commission restrained the actor from visiting polling stations in his hometown of Moga over the complaint on Feb 20. According to The Tribune, local officials claimed that Sood was going from one polling booth to another, which some political parties found objectionable. He was asked to go back and stay at his residence.

The actor has been charged with disobedience to a lawfully promulgated public servant order under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code in an FIR filed at the Moga city police station. However, according to The Tribune, Sonu denied all allegations of "influencing" voters and said, "I'm a permanent resident of Moga city. I was born and brought up here. I own a house and some shops in Moga. How could I be an outsider?” he questioned in a video available with The Tribune. “I have not asked anyone to vote for my sister or campaigned for her on the day of polling.”

He claimed that another candidate had threatened their workers sitting in the party booth located outside the polling station. “I went out to boost the morale of our workers who were sitting in the party booth to ensure free and fair polling for the assembly election,” he said, adding that he did not even get out of his car.

Sonu alleged, “We have filed a complaint against Makhan Brar with the election commission and the local administration for legal action but no action has been taken against him.”

On Feb 20, the actor also took to Twitter to accuse other parties of "buying votes" in Moga. “Other candidates in #Moga constituency are buying votes. @EVISWEEP should take immediate action," he wrote.

Malvika joined Congress a week ahead of the announcement of the polls for 177 assembly seats. She said she decided to dedicate herself to serving society like her brother, hence she stepped into politics.