Action being taken against Jaya as per HC order: Chawla

Chennai, July 6 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) was taking action in compliance with the Madras High Court order, directing it to initiate action against former Chief Minister and AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa for suppresing information while filing nominations from four constituencies in the 2001 Assembly polls.

In a brief chat with newspersons on his arrival at the airport here, Election Commissioner Navin Chawala said ''the High Court has given us the orders. The court's directive are being complied with''.

''We have taken necessary action based on the High Court orders and Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta had been asked to comply with the court directive'', he added.

Following a petition filed by a DMK Member of Parliament, the High Court, in its recent verdict, had directed the EC to initiate necessary action against the AIADMK Chief for providing false information while filing nominations from four Constituencuies in 2001 Assembly polls.

Meanwhile, informed sources said the then Returning Officers of Pudukkottai and Bhuvanagiri Constituencies, from where Ms Jayalalithaa filed nominations along with Andipatti and Krishnagiri, reportedly held talks with some government officials on the issue.

When contacted, Mr Naresh Gupta told UNI that Mr Chawla made a courtesy call to him and Ms Jayalalithaa's issue did not figure during the talks.

''It's only a courtesy call. He (Mr Chawala) passed through Chennai en route to Puducherry. We did not discuss the High Court order on Ms Jayalalithaa'', he added.

UNI