PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 30 -- The Allahabad high court has stayed criminal proceedings against Zia ur Rahman Barq, the Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, in connection with an alleged violation of the model code of conduct during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

While granting time to the state government to file its counter affidavit (reply), justice Sameer Jain directed that the case be listed for the next hearing on December 8, 2025. In the order passed on October 27, the court stayed further proceedings in the case pending before the court of the civil judge in Moradabad, until the next date of hearing. An FIR in this regard was lodged at the Bilari police station in Moradabad.

In a petition challenging proceedings, it was submitted before the c...