New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to verify discrepancies in the affidavit details submitted by Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is running as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Thiruvananthapuram.
This action follows a complaint filed by the Congress alleging false information about Chandrasekhar’s financial status in his election affidavit, news agency PTI reported.
Any mismatch and falsification of affidavit is dealt with under Section 125 A of the Representation of People’s Act 1951.
As per the law, concealing any information in nomination papers or affidavit is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine, or both.
Lawyer Avani Bansal in a tweet on X said that this action was taken back in 2022 itself, as per the Election Commission’s letter dated 22nd September 2022.
So @ECISVEEP is saying that they have sent @Rajeev_GoI ‘a Affidavit to CBDT – Central Board of Direct Taxes for inquiry BUT that they did this in 2022 itself – (attaching Election Commission’s letter to us dated 22nd Sep 2022).
Question is what has the @ECISVEEP done against… https://t.co/ebompZ0Kd3 pic.twitter.com/Zc3MG7VaMS
— Avani Bansal (@bansalavani) April 9, 2024
On April 5, Chandrasekhar in his Lok Sabha election affidavit had declared assets worth over Rs 28 crore. According to the affidavit, the total value of the BJP leader’s movable assets stands at Rs 13,69,18,637, while his spouse possesses assets valued at Rs 12,47,00,408.
These include cash in hand, details of deposits in banks, non-banking financial companies, and cooperative societies, as well as investments in bonds, debentures, shares, units in companies/mutual funds, and other financial instruments, PTI reported.
His movable assets also comprise a 1942 model Red Indian Scout, registered in Karnataka and purchased in 1994 for Rs 10,000, along with jewellery, bullion, and other valuable items valued at over Rs 3.25 crore, according to Hindustan Times.
The BJP leader’s immovable assets include self-acquired property purchased at a price of Rs 5,26,42,640, with an approximate current market value of Rs 14,40,00,000.
Additionally, he and his spouse have liabilities under dispute.
Chandrasekhar reported a total income of Rs 5,59,200 in his 2022-23 Income Tax return, compared to Rs 680 in 2021-22.
He is contesting against three-time Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
