India, Dec. 13 -- An additional sessions court in Baramati has set aside a magistrate's order initiating legal proceedings against deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a 2014 election-related case, terming the lower court's decision "perverse", inadequately reasoned, and indicative of "no application of judicial mind". The order was passed on Tuesday, a copy of which was made available on Friday.

The case stems from a complaint filed by retired IPS officer and 2014 AAP Lok Sabha candidate Suresh Khopade. He alleged that Pawar threatened voters during a rally in Baramati on April 16, 2014, warning that water supply to certain villages would be cut if they did not vote for his cousin, Supriya Sule. The complaint invoked Sections 171C (undue...