EC can probe paid news cases against political leaders: Supreme Court

The Apex Court of India on 5th May has ruled that the Election Commission has the jurisdiction and can enquire into complaints on paid news against a political leader if the expenditure incurred on it is not disclosed.

 “The EC can disqualify the candidate if he is found guilty,” the SC bench observed. 

The judgement can land former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, and Uttar Pradesh MLA Umlesh Yadav in trouble. 

The bench has asked the EC to conclude inquiries against Chavan and Koda within 45 days and take appropriate action. 

Earlier, Chavan had challenged EC jurisdiction to probe his poll expenses for his 2009 win from the Bhokar assembly seat in Nanded. EC had pulled him for not stating his real expenditure in the election campaign and indulging in paid news, which Chavan challenged in the Bombay High Court, which the HC rejected. 

The SC also dismissed Chavan’s petition which sought to quash the Bombay High Court order. 

same charges, Uttar Pradesh sitting MLA Umlesh Yadav was disqualified in October 2011. 

After the SC judgment, Chavan will be barred for contesting elections for 3 years if found guilty. Even if he is elected from Nanded in the Lok Sabha polls, his victory would be declared invalid.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/4780-ec-can-probe-paid-news-cases-against-political-leaders-supreme-court.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/4780-ec-can-probe-paid-news-cases-against-political-leaders-supreme-court.html