Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
India

EC can inquire into paid news allegations, says SC

Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 May, 2014 10:09 AM
    The Supreme Court Monday said that the Election Commission was empowered to inquire into the allegation of paid news if the expenses for the same are not being reflected in the election return filed by the candidate.
     
    The apex court bench of Justice Surinder Singh Nijjar and Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla said this while dismissing a plea by former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan.
     
    Having held that EC can inquire into the allegation, the court dismissed the plea by Chavan who had challenged the Delhi High Court order, holding that the commission can inquire into the allegations of paid news if same was not disclosed by the candidate in his election expanses returns. 
     
    The court said that EC will hold day to day hearing and decide the complaint in 45 days. 
     
    Chavan, in 2009 assembly election had won from Bhokar assembly seat in Nanded, by a margin of 1.25 lakh votes. His opponent, independent candidate Madhav Kinhalkar, filed a complaint with EC, accusing him of hiding expenses on a 'paid' supplement titled 'Ashok Parva' (The era of Ashok) in a leading Marathi daily.
     
    Chavan and the daily's management denied the allegation saying that the supplement was not a paid one.
     
    EC probed into Kinhalkar's allegations. Delhi High Court in 2010 declined Chavan's plea seeking the stay of the Election Commission proceedings. He then moved the apex court in November 2011.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    110 million vote in India, BJP says it's 'Modi tsunami'

    110 million vote in India, BJP says it's 'Modi tsunami'
    Nearly 110 million people peacefully voted Thursday in 117 Lok Sabha constituencies in 12 states in a staggered election that will see three more rounds to decide who gets to govern India the next five years.

    110 million vote in India, BJP says it's 'Modi tsunami'

    Elections 2014 Phase 6: Indians vote for 117 Lok Sabha seats across 11 states

    Elections 2014 Phase 6: Indians vote for 117 Lok Sabha seats across 11 states
    The polling for the sixth phase of elections, which will seal the fate of several heavyweights, is underway. Here’s a look at highlights from 117 Lok Sabha seats across 11 state

    Elections 2014 Phase 6: Indians vote for 117 Lok Sabha seats across 11 states

    Sex, Lies and Goa's Massage Parlours

    Sex, Lies and Goa's Massage Parlours
    A promise of a "full massage" in Goa's coastal belt more often than not translates into a covert sexual proposition or at least a "happy ending" for the many groups of single male domestic tourists who form a large component in Goa's tourism arrival figure. The state attracted three million tourists last year alone.

    Sex, Lies and Goa's Massage Parlours

    Indian gay student granted asylum in Australia

    Indian gay student granted asylum in Australia
    A gay Indian student, who fled his country to escape his oppressive family and an arranged marriage, has been granted refugee status in Australia.

    Indian gay student granted asylum in Australia

    Election Special: Something amiss in Punjab's first political family?

    Election Special: Something amiss in Punjab's first political family?
    Punjab's first political family - the Badals - are certainly not their usual self, politically speaking. Recent events relating to the family of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal clearly indicate that there is something amiss.

    Election Special: Something amiss in Punjab's first political family?

    Priyanka slams Modi, rakes up snoopgate controversy

    Priyanka slams Modi, rakes up snoopgate controversy
    For the second consecutive day, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Wednesday targeted the BJP and its leader Narendra Modi and raked up the snoopgate controversy, saying the Gujarat chief minister "was listening to conversations of women".

    Priyanka slams Modi, rakes up snoopgate controversy