The leaders allegedly conducted byelection campaign at Anjaneya temple near Sanganakallu village in Bellary Rural Assembly constituency on October 19. The chief electoral officer had submitted a report to the ECI on the issue. The FIR will be filed under the Religious Institutions Misuse Act, 1988, Special Officer (Elections), R Manoj said. Section 7 of the Act prescribes jail term up to five years if the charge of misusing religious places is proved.
The chief electoral officer has also been asked to serve a show-cause notice on all the three for violating the model code of conduct.
Manoj said the notices will be have to be replied to by 6 pm on Thursday. Using places of worship for election campaign amounts to violation of model code of conduct.
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