The Gujarat High Court on Friday issued notices to the state government,BJP MLA Shankar Chaudhary and the education department on a petition seeking criminal action against the MLA in connection with the an alleged earthquake relief fund scam. The petition has been filed by Farsu Goklani,who is opposition leader at the Patan district panchyat. Goklani has submitted an earlier HC order directing the education department to take action against officials accused of embezzlement of the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund. According to Goklani,department had not initiated any action on the order even after one-and-half years. Jal S Unwalla,who represented Goklani in the last hearing on June 29,said the court had summoned the officials concerned to inform about inquiries they had conducted. He said the government pleader had told the court that on July 6 a reply in this regard would be submitted before the court. But the government didnt file any reply today,after which the court issued notices. As per case details,Chaudhary had claimed Rs 21.01 lakh under PMNRF to construct a building,which was reportedly damaged during the the 2001 earthquake. In 2007,Gokani filed a PIL,accusing Chaudhary of misusing PMNRF. Following which the court ordered Chaudhary to pay the amount back with 10 per cent interest.
