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Bhubaneswar: RTI activist Subash Mohapatra today issued an ultimatum to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and demanded that the commission should tender an apology to Supreme Court for not expediting inquiry into alleged anomaly in the poll expenses data furnished by Hinjlikatu MLA and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Speaking to OTV, Mohapatra said Election Commission of India had earlier submitted an undertaking in the Supreme Court stating that it would probe into alleged poll fund irregularities against the CM after the apex court directed it look into the matter on October 27, 2017, however no action has been taken in this regard.
"No needful steps has ever been taken by you for conduct and completion of inquiry as committed to Supreme Court of India which proves your deliberate malafide and amounts to fraud on the highest court of the land," Mohapatra wrote quoting the ECI in a letter.
Mohapatra further added that the delay in probe shows that there may be a secret deal between the CM and the ECI.
"We have served a legal notice to the ECI seeking its written apology before the apex court within three days failing which we will initiate appropriate action under the provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860 and Contempt of Courts act-1971 in the country topmost court.
It is to be noted that Mohapatra had lost the 2014 general elections from Hinjlikatu constituency against Naveen Patnaik.
Alleging gross discrepancies in sworn statements on poll expenses of the CM and criminal breach of trust, the activist had filed a case before the Orissa High Court under the Representation of People’s Act.
However apprehending that the case might get influenced, Mohapatra had prayed the apex court seeking its transfer from Orissa High Court to Delhi High Court in July last year.
