Delhi HC issues notice to Ashok Chavan in 'paid news' case

The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan on a petition against a single judge bench's order that quashed the Election Commission's show-cause notice in a "paid news" case.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw sought response from Chavan by Oct 31 on independent candidate Madhavrao Kinhalkar's plea against single judge order Sep 12. The single judge quashed the Election Commission's show-cause notice that asked Chavan why he should not be disqualified over the "paid news" case.

The poll panel earlier issued notice to Chavan, currently a Lok Sabha member from Nanded, for failing to file his election expenses as per law when he contested and won the 2009 Maharashtra assembly elections from Bhokar constituency.

However, Chavan contended that he correctly filed all poll expenses of Rs.6.85 lakh and sought the commission's notice be set aside.

Chavan said that the poll panel has not followed the procedure laid out in the Representation of the People Act before giving its findings.

The former chief minister said the expenses he is alleged to have not declared were related to some advertisements that were released in October 2009 regarding a meeting that was to be held between the members of the UPA government.