Court agrees to hear complaint against AAP's Som Dutt

A court here on Friday agreed to hear a complaint against AAP legislator Som Dutt, accused of concealing facts in his affidavit filed during the 2015 Delhi assembly election.

Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria took cognizance of the complaint against Dutt, legislator from Sadar Bazar constituency, which was filed by Praveen Jain through counsel Vivek Garg. The court posted the matter for October 26 for recording the statement of the complainant's witnesses.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader had defeated BJP leader Jain and Congress leader Ajay Maken in the election.

In his complaint, Jain accused Dutt of filing a false, fabricated affidavit, and concealing facts on oath before the returning officer of Sadar Bazar constituency.

Jain requested the court to initiate proceedings against Dutt on charges of using as true a declaration knowing it to be false, false statement on oath, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and under the Representation of the People Act.

The plea said that in both his affidavits in the 2015 and 2013 elections, Dutt did not disclose the assets of his parents, and said they were not dependent on him.

As per information obtained under RTI by counsel Garg from the Delhi assembly, the complainant said Dutt "managed to obtain a medical facility card under the Delhi Government Employees Health Scheme".

The plea said Dutt in his medical facility card declared his parents as dependent on him.

The complaint said Dutt further claimed medical allowance of Rs.4,631.

"This clearly and very well establishes the crime of the accused Som Dutt that he filed false affidavits before the Election Commission by concealing the fact that his parents were actually dependent on him and not independent," the plea said.

Jain said this proves cheating, fraud, and corrupt practices by Dutt to mislead voters.