Court dismisses plea against Mukherjee

New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Friday dismissed as withdrawn a petition challenging the candidature of United Progressive Alliance's presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee.

"Petitioner in person seeks liberty to withdraw it. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn," a vacation bench of Justices V.K. Jain and Pratibha Rani said.

In his petition, advocate M.L. Sharma has accused Mukherjee of abusing his office as finance minister and securing "pecuniary favour" in the form of votes from various political parties in the July 19 presidential election.

The court said that asking for votes did not amount to asking for pecuniary advantage.

Sharma had sought registration of a case against Mukherjee under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly misusing his official position.

The court rejected the counsel submission saying that it does not amount to a criminal offence.

Sharma told the court that if a man assures something in favour of votes, it comes under the category of pecuniary advantage.