Charges against Ashok Chavan from May 30

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has decided to frame charges against former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and begin a regular hearing from May 30 in the alleged ‘paid news’ and furnishing of ‘incorrect’ election accounts case against him.

A team of lawyers of Chavan, who recently won the Lok Sabha polls on a Congress ticket from Nanded, on Friday deposed before the poll panel where it was decided that specific charges will be framed against him before the final hearing is commenced in this case.

“Both Chavan and complainants against him have been asked to submit their representations by next week after which charges will be framed and the hearing will be done from May 30,” a source privy to the development said.

Chavan, in response to EC's summons issued to him last week, had requested the poll panel to frame specific charges and terms of reference before proceeding in this case. Sources said once the representations are made, the EC will frame the issues or charges and it would be notified to both Chavan and the complainants against him.