SP MP files petition in SC seeking Chawla's removal as EC

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Apr 15 (UNI) The controversy on continuation of Naveen Chawla as Election Commissioner today reached the Supreme Court with the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 'Office of Profit' chairman and Samajwadi Party MP Chandra Bhushan Singh filing a petition seeking directions for his removal.

The writ petition, filed through advocate Pradeep Rai, alleged certain Congress MPs have contributed about Rs 85 lakhs to the trusts and NGOs being run by Mr Chawla's family members, from their MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds. It also mentioned that Mr Chawla was indicted for the excesses committed during Emergency by the Shah Commission.

The petitioner has also alleged that Mr Chawla's conduct on the 'office of profit' has not ben above board as MPs belonging to other political parties have been issued show cause notices while Congress MPs are being shielded, with no such notices issued to them yet.

''A man with such partial attitude and doubtful integrity cannot be permitted to hold a constitutional post. The decision of Election Commission on election related issues is binding on the President of India. A man like Chawla cannot be expected to conduct free and fair elections in the country,'' the petition said.

It has also rasised the issue of how an order on the 'office of profit' issue can be enforced with retrospective effect.

The petition is likely to come before the Supreme Court on Monday to be listed for early hearing.

UNI AKS/SC VD PM1755

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