Poll budget: HC seeks response from Maken

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought a response from Union Minister Ajay Maken and the returning officer of his Lok Sabha constituency over a petition seeking to declare his election null and void for over-spending during the poll campaign.

Accusing the Congress leader of violating the Model Code of Conduct and provisions of the Representation of People’s Act,the petition has claimed he spent over Rs 5 crore during his campaigning,while the rules fixed Rs 25 lakh as the maximum limit.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Ajay Digpaul,appearing for petitioner Adesh Gupta,said Maken,the Minister of State for Home,had wrongfully claimed to have spent around Rs 20 lakh in his campaign,when he issued full-page ads in various national and local dailies. He also got numerous hoardings put up and distributed calendars,diaries and pamphlets.

Issuing the notice to Maken and D K Mishra,returning officer for New Delhi,the Court has fixed August 21 as the next date for hearing.