False affidavit against BJD MP: ECI seeks report from Chief Electoral Officer

Bhubaneswar: Following a delay in receipt of a factual report from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha pertaining to a false affidavit case against BJD's Rajya Sabha member Achyuta Samanta, the Election Commission of India has directed the CEO to provide a detailed report at the earliest.

In a letter dated December 31 to the CEO, the Election Commission of India had mentioned that a factual report was sought in pursuance to a judgement passed by the Orissa High Court in a writ petition and the said report is still awaited in the commission.

Earlier, on April 30, 2018, Samanta’s nomination to Rajya Sabha was challenged in the High Court by Right to Information (RTI) activist, Subash Mohapatra.

Mohapatra had moved the High Court seeking invalidation of Samanta’s Rajya Sabha membership.

Mohapatra, whose nomination papers for Rajya Sabha elections were rejected in March, had alleged that Samanta filed false information in his affidavit during nomination.

Moreover, as Samanta has forged PAN and voter identity card, Rajya Sabha membership should be cancelled, Mohapatra had prayed in his petition.

Hearing the case, the HC had asked the Election Commission of India to probe the allegations levelled against the BJD MP.

Comments from Samanta could not be obtained.