New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS): The Supreme Court Wednesday asked the Delhi High Court to decide the petition of former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan challenging the Election Commission's showcause notice why he should not be disqualified for filing wrong election expenditure returns for 2009 Maharashtra assembly election.
The apex court bench of Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh asked the high court to decide the matter in 15 days after the petition by the complainant Madhavrao Finhalkar challenged the high court order staying the Election Commission's showcause notice.
Chavan is a Lok Sabha member from Nanded parliamentary constituency.
Asking the high court to decide the matter in two weeks, the court refused to interfere with the Delhi High court order putting on hold the Election Commission's showcause notice to Chavan. The court said that it was not for dragging the matter.
Appearing for the petitioner Madhavrao Finhalkar, Counsel Jayant Bhushan told the court that high court had erroneously passed the order staying the Election Commission's showcause notice.
Bhushan told the court that the high court should not have stayed the Election Commission's showcause notice as apex court had asked the Commission to decide the complaint in 45 days.
The apex court by its May 5, 2014, verdict had held that Election Commission could inquire into the allegation of paid news if the expenses for the same were not being reflected in the election return filed by the candidate. The court had said that Election Commission would hold day-to-day hearing and decide the complaint in 45 days.
The Election commission by its July 13, 2014 order had asked Chavan to respond to its showcause notice and had given him 20 days time to do so.