NDA MPs demand in SC for removal of Naveen Chawla

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) Former Attorney General of India Soli J Sorabjee appearing for former Union Minister and BJP leader Jaswant Singh told the Supreme Court today that a person like Naveen Chawla cannot be allowed to continue as Election Comissioner as his role has always been partisan to favour Congress party.

Mr Sorabjee also submitted before a bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhan and V S Sirpurkar that the complaint filed by 205 MPs belonging to NDA should have been referred by the President of India to the Chief Election Commissioner for his opinion because as per Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India only CEC can recommend the removal of an Election Commissioner.

The court, however, was of the view that unless and until some concrete evidence is brought on record to prove that the conduct of Chawla was either partisan or malicious, nothing would turn on bald allegation unless and until same are corroborated and substantiated by concrete and reliable evidence.

Jaswant Singh is seeking removal of Naveen Chawla on the grounds that he was indicted for emergency excesses by Justice Shah Commission and Congress leaders including Union Minister Ambika Soni have been contributing from MPLAD scheme funds to the trusts being run by the family members of Naveen Chawla including his wife Rutika Chawla.

The hearing will continue tomorrow.

UNI