PIL against PM Modi in HC for alleged violation of code of conduct

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Centre and the Election Commission to file their replies to a public interest litigation alleging violation of code of conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP MPs in last Lok Sabha polls by spending huge amounts.

The PIL, filed by Pune-based social activist Hemant Patil, claimed the BJP leaders spent huge amounts running into crores of rupees in the election much more than the limits prescribed by the Election Commission.

The PIL came up for hearing before a bench headed by Justice VM Kanade which asked the respondents to file their replies within four weeks. The petition was filed last year but it has come up for hearing now, said lawyer RN Kachave who appeared on behalf of Patil.

Patil contended he had made a representation to the Election Commission on the issue and urged for an inquiry but EC had not taken congnisance of the complaint. He then moved the Bombay High Court.

The petitioner contended that the limit prescribed by EC for incurring expenses during election in a constituency is Rs 70 lakh but the BJP MPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had spent crores of rupees in their respective constituencies. Hence, they had violated code of conduct, Patil alleged.

The PIL prayed for a direction to EC to conduct an inquiry into the issue and file a report to the court. The petition also prayed that action should be taken under the provisions of Representation of the People Act if the respondents were found to have violated the code of conduct.