EC seeks action on CBDT report on cash deals in MP during Lok Sabha polls

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) of India has sent a critical Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) report — on “extensive use of unaccounted cash” in Madhya Pradesh during the Lok Sabha elections 2019 — to the chief electoral officer of the state for criminal action.

The report is on the alleged illegal transfer of huge amounts of cash to the Congress’s headquarters in Delhi and is said to point to aides close to former chief minister Kamal Nath.

The Election Commission has also directed the Union home secretary and written to the state chief secretary to initiate “appropriate departmental action” against all India service officers and for similar action against state officers involved.


“It is reported that these entities/individuals engaged in unauthorised and unaccounted cash contributions to individuals on behalf of certain political party, which is reported to be corroborated during searches against persons by the Income Tax Department under Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The report specifically mentions instances of prima facie involvement/nexus of public/government servants in unauthorised/unaccounted cash transactions,” said an EC press statement on Wednesday.

The poll panel deliberated on the CBDT report of October 28 and directed that it be sent to chief electoral officer of Madhya Pradesh to lodge criminal action before the Economic Offence Wing, Madhya Pradesh.