Early hearing sought for PIL against Ms Patil

New Delhi, July 2: An advocate today sought early hearing of his petition by the Supreme Court asking for directions to the Election Commission to cancel the nomination of UPA Presidential nominee Pratibha Patil. Petitioner Manohar Lal Sharma today brought the matter before a Vacation Bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and P K Balasubramanyam for listing the matter for urgent hearing as the Presidential election is scheduled for July 19.

The petitioner also prayed for interim directions to the Election Commission not to allow Ms Patil to contest the forthcoming presidential election till the final disposal of the PIL.

According to the Mr Sharma, in view of the allegations that the sugar mill owned and runned by the family of Pratibha Patil, of which she is the founder chairperson, has defaulted in repayment of loan worth Rs 17.5 crore granted by Bombay Puna Cooperative Bank and that the mill is going to be auctioned for the recovery of the amount.

In another allegation Pratibha Mahila Cooperative Bank owned by Pratibha Patil deducted a day's salary of its employees for Kargil War relief fund but never deposited it in the bank.

Both these facts had been deliberately concealed by Ms Patil from the Election Commission in her nomination papers.

The petitoner has also contended that the nomination of the UPA candidate is liable to be cancelled on account of disclosing the above facts and that such a person cannot be allowed to run for the august office of the President of the India.

The other allegation against Pratibha Patil is that she had been shielding her brother who is facing charges in a murder case.

The Supreme Court will hear the petition tomorrow if it is numbered by the registery today.

UNI

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