Concealed Election Expenditure, Sought Votes In Temple: Plea In HC Challenges Lok Sabha Election Of Fmr Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi

An election petition has been filed in the Punjab & Haryana High Court challenging the Lok Sabha election of former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who was elected as Member of Parliament from Jalandhar in the 17th Lok Sabha.

The plea filed by a Jalandhar voter stated that Channi had concealed information about the expenditure incurred by him during the election process. "However due to connivance of the election commission officers, no action was taken on the respondent, which clearly shows the malafide intentions of the respondent," the plea stated.

It is alleged that Channi has also concealed information about the expenses incurred by him on social media as well as on paid news. Local newspapers have continuously covered the respondent only and about 90% of their coverage space was given to him and the remaining all other candidates were not even given 10% of the coverage, the petitioner added.

Adding that Channi attended public meetings in temples and Gurdwaras, the plea submitted that he has "not only failed to maintain the sanctity of the religious place but has also violated the provisions of the representation of People act by seeking votes in the temple premises and as such his election is liable to be set aside on this score alone."

Title: Gaurav Luthra v. Versus Charanjit Singh Channi

Advocates for the petitioner Manit Malhotra and Pankaj Bains