Probe Initiated: BJP’s Chandrasekhar Faces Scrutiny Over Asset Declarations

The Election Commission has instructed the CBDT to scrutinize the affidavits of BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar for potential discrepancies in asset and income declarations as he gears up for Lok Sabha candidacy in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.

Following complaints from the Congress and Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front, alleging misrepresentation of assets and income, the Election Commission initiated the probe. Candidates found concealing information may face legal repercussions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The controversy surrounding Chandrasekhar’s affidavit arose when it revealed a significant disparity in his income declarations for different fiscal years. Despite declaring total assets worth ₹28 crore, questions arose over undisclosed real estate and his connection to a holding company called Jupiter Capital.

Chandrasekhar has refuted the allegations, asserting that his disclosures comply with legal requirements. In response, the Supreme Court emphasized candidates’ right to privacy regarding irrelevant asset details, underlining the complexity of electoral transparency versus individual privacy rights.