Delhi HC issues notice in challenge to election of BJP’s Hans Raj Hans from North-West Delhi

The Delhi High Court yesterday issued notice in a plea by Rajesh Lilothia, the Congress candidate from the North-West New Delhi constituency, challenging the success of the BJP’s Hans Raj Hans in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections..Notice was issued by a Single Judge Bench of Jayant Nath..The Court also ordered for the preservation of the nomination paper and other records in the case..Lilothia has alleged that Hans Raj Hans furnished false information pertaining to his assets and liabilities, and thus indulged in corrupt practices at the time of filing his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections..It is stated that when Hans contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Jalandhar, Punjab, he had disclosed his highest education qualification as ‘PREP’ from DAV College, in 1981. However, in his affidavit filed for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, his highest qualification is stated to be ‘Matric’ from Govt. Sr. Sec. School at Dhaliwal in Jalandhar, completed in 1977-1978..Lilothia has also claimed that Hans Raj Hans deliberately concealed his spouse’s source of income in spite of declaring her Income Tax liability to be Rs. 2,57,32,724..The assets and liabilities of other family members, ie his two sons, were also not disclosed in order to conceal his actual financial status, it is stated..Lilothia has further alleged that Hans Raj Hans concealed information with regard to his association with the National Safai Karamchari Commission as its Vice-Chairman as well as the source and reasons for keeping Rs 5.50 lakh as cash-in-hand. The petition states,.“…it is commonly said that the Respondent no.1 (Hans) comes from some other caste and does not belong to SC/St community and all these facts were required to be verified and investigated thoroughly and were required to be considered while accepting his nomination but no such steps were taken.“.Thus invoking the voters’ right to know personal particulars, including assets, income and education of candidates contesting an election, Lilothia has prayed that Hans’ election be set aside for violation of election laws..The petition was filed through advocate Vikram Dua..The matter will be heard next on September 18.