Apex Court quashes inquiry against Manmohan Singh

quot;Having regard to the fact that the state electoral officer was a subordinate of the then CEC and given the nature of the inferences drawn by the latter without giving Singh the opportunity of a defence, there can be no doubt that allowing the inquiry to proceed would be detrimental to fair play. The inquiry and all notices and orders pertaining thereto must stand quashed,quot; the bench said.

However, the court said it would be open to the election commission to issue a notice to Singh for correcting the electoral roll upon which the entry in regard to his ordinary residence in the Dispur constituency was made.

Singh in August 1991 had applied for inclusion of his name in the electoral roll of Dispur assembly constituency giving the address as C/O Dr Hema Prabha Saikia, who is the wife of the then Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia. He was elected to Rajya Sabha for the first time in September 26, 1991.