The Election Commission has askedthe Returning Officer of Amethi Lok Sabha constituency toprobe allegations by Subramanian Swamy that Rahul Gandhi gave"wrong information" regarding his assets while filingnomination papers in the 2009 polls.
In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer on November 15,the Commission said Swamy has alleged that Gandhi had given"wrong information" relating to his assets and cited a June2004 letter which said the Returning Officer is the competentauthority to look into such complaints.
"Since the affidavit is filed before the ReturningOfficer, in view of the provisions of Section 195 of CrPC, itis the Returning Officer concerned, who is the competentauthority to consider any complaint regarding false statementin the affidavit...," the EC letter said.
The letter written by Principal Secretary R K Srivastavaalso said if the Returning Officer is satisfied that theaffidavit contained false statement, he can take appropriatefollow up action.
The Commission directed the CEO to forward Swamy'scomplaint to the Returning Officer for appropriate action.
"The Commission may be kept informed of the action takenin the matter," the letter said.
Swamy had earlier this month alleged that Gandhi did notshow shares owned by him in Associated Journals which ran thenow-defunct National Herald newspaper in the affidavit hefiled during Lok Sabha elections in 2009.