Bilaspur, Dec 14 (UNI) On a petition challenging former Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi's claim as a scheduled tribe, the Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the Congress leader to submit his caste certificate before the next hearing on January 16.

Justice L C Bhadu yesterday issued the directive while hearing an election petition filed by BJP leader Nand Kumar Sai challenging Mr Jogi contesting the Assembly election from Marwahi(ST) in 2003 allegedly on the basis of fake Scheduled Tribe certificate.

The petitioner sought a directive from the High Court to Mr Jogi to submit his birth certificate, matric certificate, domicile certificate and caste certificate which were submitted while seeking admission to the engineering college in 1962.

The court directed to submit all documents before next hearing as Mr Jogi's counsel sought time for it.

In his petition, Mr Sai demanded that Mr Jogi's election from Marwahi(ST) be set aside alleging that the latter did not belong to Scheduled Tribe and was not eligible to contest from a reserved constituency.

The petitioner said he had then raised objection after Mr Jogi filed his nomination, but Bilaspur District Returning Officer overruled his objection and allotted poll symbol.

Subsequently, Mr Jogi was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mahasamund, while Mr Sai was also a Lok Sabha member from Sarguja.

UNI