Report on alleged distribution of money by Varun sent to EC

The report of the Pilibhit district authorities on alleged distribution of money by BJP Lok Sabha nominee Varun Gandhi has been forwaded to the Election Commission for further action, a senior official has said.  The State Electoral Office has forwarded the Pilibhit District Magistrate's report on alleged distribution of money by Gandhi during a rally on March 4 to the Election Commission, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha told reporters here yesterday.

"A report from the Pilibhit district magistrate has been received and forwarded to the EC. Further action will be taken on the directives of the EC," he said.

The Commission had on March 19 sought a report from the Pilibhit district administration on the issue.

"The Commission had got inputs regarding alleged distribution of money by the BJP candidate and it has sought a report from the district magistrate in this regard," Chief Electoral Officer Anuj Kumar Bishnoi had earlier said.

An inquiry conducted by the district administration had stated that Gandhi had allegedly distributed money to some people in Bisalpur village on March 4.

The inquiry was carried out by naib tehsildar Janki Prasad, who in his report had alleged that the BJP nominee had extended financial help to at least two persons, after the dates of Lok Sabha polls were announced, violating the model code, Sub-Divisional magistrate M A Akhtar had said.