EC issues notice to Chavan, Koda in paid news case

Election Commission asked them to appear before it on May 23 for allegedly giving incorrect accounts of their poll expenses

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and ex-Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda were today asked by the Election Commission (EC) to appear before it on May 23 for allegedly giving incorrect accounts of their poll expenses.

Slapping a fresh notice on Chavan, the EC asked him to appear before it in connection with a ongoing case of alleged expenses made by him during the 2009 polls which were categorised as "paid news".

Chavan has been asked to attend the hearing here on May 23 "either in person or through his authorised representative or counsel".

In the second case, the EC has asked Koda to appear in the hearing, either in person or through an authorised counsel, with regard to a case against him for allegedly furnishing false election expenditure records after the 2009 polls.

The EC's action comes a week after the Supreme Court gave a free hand to the Commission to enquire 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 Chavan challenging the Commission's jurisdiction to enquire into such issues.

The apex court had directed the Commission to enquire into the complaint against Chavan within 45 days.

The EC, post complaints made against the two political leaders, had initiated disqualification procedures against them under the Representation of the People Act.

Both the leaders had challenged the EC's action as they denied any wrongdoing.