New Delhi, July 7 (IANS) Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda approached the Delhi High Court Thursday alleging that the Election Commission (EC) was misusing its power by forcing him to furnish his election expenses related to the year 2009.

Koda filed an application before the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, stating that the EC has no power to hold an inquiry and verify the correctness or the falsity of the return of election expenses already filed by him.

"However, the high court has that power," said Koda's application, adding that his case was similar to Ashok Chavan, who was the Maharashtra revenue minister from 1999-2003 and who stepped down as chief minister last year following the Adarsh Housing Society controversy in Mumbai.

Taking note of Koda's petition, the bench posted the matter for July 13.

Koda was elected member of parliament in 2009 from tribal-dominated constituency of West Singhbhum in the state. After being elected, he submitted accounts of his election expenses of over Rs.18 lakh to the district election office (DEO).

Accordingly, the DEO reported to the EC that the petitioner submitted his expenses.

After 15 months, on Oct 10, 2010, the EC issued a show cause notice alleging that Koda failed to give his election expenses in the required format, without the necessary documents.

The EC also asked him as to why he should not be disqualified.