'Most wanted criminal' wins election as independent candidate

A rather shocking news has came form Rautahat's constituency No. 1 where a man in the 'most wanted' list of Nepal police has won the election as an independent candidate.

Baban Singh alias Mr. John, the prime suspect of the serial blasts in Kathmandu last September that killed three persons and left dozens others injured was declared winner in Rautahat-1, securing 9201 votes. He defeated his nearest rival, Ajay Gupta of Sadbhawana Party, by a margin of 2613 votes.

Baban, who was never seen in the public during election campaigning, used gimmicks that were probability never seen or heard before. His wife, daughters and some relatives did the campaigning for him, mostly asking the voters to give him a chance to correct himself and save him from being hanged to death for his crimes.

Posters showed him with folded hands, apparently pleading for 'mercy', with a noose lurching around his neck. "Hamara Ke Bachali" (Save Me) read the slogan on the poster.

Baban's family members had registered his candidature at the election office and they received the certificate of victory in the election. He didn't show up in the victory rally after wining the election, fearing arrest.

Reports said the police are searching for him and that criminal case will be lodged at the court once he is arrested.

Baban had openly admitted to have masterminded the September's blasts in Kathmandu, describing the terror attack as an act of vengeance of Madhesi people against the state. He has been in the 'most wanted' list of the police for quite a long time. nepalnews.com mk Apr 14 candidate