New Delhi: A court here today recorded the statement of a complainant against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly giving “misleading information” in the affidavit which he had filed ahead of the Assembly elections last year.
Metropolitan Magistrate Swati Katiyar commenced recording of pre-summoning evidence in the matter and recorded the statement of petitioner Neeraj Saxena, who has filed the criminal complaint on behalf of the NGO, Maulik Bharat Trust.
The complainant alleged that Kejriwal gave misleading information in his affidavit filed before the poll panel last year.
Kejriwal had “wilfully misled” Election Commission by concealing his correct address and suppressing the market value of his property, the complainant has alleged.
Meanwhile, the court allowed an application by the complainant seeking examination of witnesses in support of the complaint.
The plea was allowed for examining three government officials, including the record keeper of Delhi’s Chief Election Officer, with the matter being fixed for May 7.
The NGO’s counsel had earlier argued that the affidavit was filed by Kejriwal before the competent authority at Jam Nagar house here, which falls under the jurisdiction of this court.
The petitioner says that “wilful concealment and suppression of correct address and value of the aforesaid property amounts to commission of a criminal offence under Section 125A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, punishable with six months’ imprisonment and/or fine or both”.
“The aforesaid facts and circumstances clearly make out a case of blatant violation, suppression, misleading facts and information not only from the electors but also from Election Commission,” the petition said.
Earlier, the NGO had approached Delhi High Court with a plea seeking quashing of Kejriwal’s nomination papers on the grounds of “illegalities” in his affidavit.
High court had refused to entertain the plea and directed the petitioners to approach a magisterial court for remedy.
The NGO in its petition before high court had alleged that Kejriwal violated provisions of the RP Act by submitting an affidavit which had incorrect details of his assets and income at the time of the filing of nomination.
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