Alleged distribution of wristwatches by a Madhya Pradesh minister Gaurishanker Bisen to reporters and party workers during election time has landed the BJP leader in trouble.
Police has booked Bisen, the minister for Public Health Engineering and Co-Operatives, on charges of violating the poll model code of conduct, official sources said.
He has been charged under section 171 of the IPC for allegedly distributing wristwatches to reporters and BJP workers during a function held recently, sources said, adding his action was against the model code of conduct. The charge relates to bribery offence.
The District Returning Officer (DRO) took cognisance of reports appearing on TV channels on the issue following which an inquiry was conducted, on the basis of which a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) registered a complaint with police, they added. Bison's action was also caught on camera.
Seoni Collector and DRO Manohar Dubey forwarded a report on Monday regarding the incident to State Chief Electoral Officer J S Mathur in Bhopal.
Mathur told PTI that he had forwarded the DRO's report to the Election Commission for neccessary action.