The Election Commission has asked the former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and the former Jharkhand Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, to appear before it on May 23 for allegedly giving incorrect accounts of their 2009 poll expenses.
It is an ongoing case of alleged expenses made by him during the 2009 polls which were categorised as “paid news”. Mr. Chavan and Mr. Koda have been asked to attend the hearing here on May 23 “either in person or through their authorised representative or counsel.”
The poll panel’s action comes a week after the Supreme Court gave it a free hand to inquire into complaints of paid news or incorrect expenses against a political leader. A Bench headed by Justice A.K. Patnaik had dismissed the plea of Mr. Chavan challenging the EC’s jurisdiction to inquire into such issues. The apex court had directed the commission to enquire into the complaint against Mr. Chavan within 45 days. Asked for his reaction, Mr. Chavan said: “I have not received any official communication from the EC yet. My legal team will respond to the notice once we receive it.”
