Guwahati, Dec. 3 :     The Gauhati High Court today declared as void and set aside the election of Congress MLA from Margherita, Pradyut Bordoloi. However, the operation of the order has been stayed for two months to enable Bordoloi to file an appeal before the Supreme Court. The decision followed a petition filed by Swapan Roy, an Independent candidate, whose nomination had been rejected by the returning officer. Justice D. Biswas, in his judgment, upheld the petitioner?s contention that he was ?improperly prevented? from contesting the byelection, which Bordoloi won by over 8,000 votes in 1998. The returning officer was ?wrong? in rejecting Roy?s nomination papers only because he was an employee of Coal India Limited. The declaration was made according to the provisions of Section 100(1)(c) of the Representation of the People?s Act, 1951. Bordoloi could not be contacted for his comments. Sources in the family said he is rushing back to Guwahati and would soon file an appeal in the apex court. Handcuffs removed Wary of sparking a controversy, police have revoked their decision to keep suspected militant Bulbul Boro handcuffed in hospital. Boro was injured in an encounter with the police on November 27. The suspected Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) activist has since been undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College hospital. A police official said the handcuffs were removed on Wednesday. However, he pleaded ignorance about why Boro was handcuffed or what prompted the authorities to change their decision. ?We do as we are directed by our seniors,? he said. Though Boro?s handcuffs have been removed, police and CRPF personnel are keeping vigil round the clock. The suspected BLT rebel is recuperating in the male surgical ward of the hospital. The issue was first raised by The Telegraph on Tuesday. Asked why Boro had been handcuffed, officiating Guwahati superintendent of police P.K. Dutta said he was in the dark. However, he promised to look into the matter. Keeping a person handcuffed while undergoing treatment is a violation of the directives issued by the Gauhati High Court as well as the Supreme Court. Assam Human Rights Commission member Paramananda Kalita said it was criminal to handcuff a patient. The rights activist said Boro?s suspected background could not be a valid reason to keep him handcuffed. Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti secretary-general Lachit Bordoloi echoed Kalita?s views, saying that it was ?barbarous? to handcuff a patient. He said Boro should have access to the best medical treatment as long as he is in police custody. Doctors at the hospital said Boro had ?recovered to an extent?. Boro denied that he has links with the BLT.