EC to resume hearing in Chavan, Koda poll expenses case

The poll body is also expected to take up a similar case against former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda tomorrow.  

The EC had on the directions of the Supreme Court issued a notice to Chavan sometime back to appear before it in connection with the case of alleged expenses made by him during the 2009 polls which were categorised as “paid news”.  

The apex court had in its earlier order given a free hand to the Commission to inquire into complaints of ‘paid news' or incorrect expenses against a political leader.  

One of the charges framed by the EC in Chavan's case states that the hearing would be done to find if the alleged ‘paid news' instances were “incurred or authorised by the respondent (Chavan) or by his election agent or by any other person with the consent or knowledge of the respondent or of his election agent”.

Among the other framed charges against Chavan include “whether the respondent (Chavan) is liable to be disqualified for his above failure (of furnishing correct election expenses accounts) by the Election Commission under section 10A of Represenation of People Act 1951, read with sections 77 and 78 for a period of three years from the date of the order of the Commission.”