The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday issued a directive to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to investigate potential discrepancies in the asset declarations made by BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar. This move comes after the Congress party lodged a formal complaint against Chandrasekhar, who is contesting the Lok Sabha seat in Thiruvananthapuram against former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor.
The complaint alleges that there is a significant mismatch between Chandrasekhar’s actual assets and those declared in his election affidavit. In response, the EC has instructed the CBDT to thoroughly verify these claims, adhering to the procedures outlined in Section 125A of the Representation of the People Act 1951, which deals with the falsification of such documents.
Under Indian law, concealing information or providing false details in nomination papers and affidavits is a criminal offense, punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine, or both.
Additionally, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has recently been involved in another controversy related to a social media post following the Kochi blasts on October 29, which resulted in three deaths and injuries to dozens at a Jehovah’s Witnesses gathering. The Ernakulam Central Police registered a case against him on October 31, 2023, after receiving complaints, including one from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, concerning his comments made online soon after the incident.