EC serves notice to RS member Nirmala Deshpande on office of profit

New Delhi, July 8 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) has issued a show-cause notice to Rajya Sabha Member Nirmala Deshpande asking her to file written affidavits on the various allegations levelled against her on the office of profit issue for being the Chairperson of the Rajghat Samadhi Samiti (RSS).

The petitioner, Mangal Singh, in his complaint before the Election Commission has stated the RSS was set up by an Act of Parliament. The RSS Act-1951 in a sub-clause of its Section 3, says, the Samiti is equivalent to a corporate body.

The complainant further says Ms Deshpande is deriving all the profits accruing from the Office of the Co-Chairperson of the RSS which has not been included in the list of 54 posts which have been declared as office of non-profit.

The Election Commission in its notice further says the notice is being issued to her under Section 146 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The EC notice says in case case no reply is received from her by July 21, it will be assumed that she has nothing to say in the matter, The notice further says Ms Deshpande could indicate whether she would wish to be heard in this matter in person or through a duly appointed lawyer.

The Commission has sent a copy of the notice issued to Ms Deshpande to President A P J Abdul Kalam and a copy to the petitioner.

UNI/BKS PA AT VC1750