'Smriti Irani deliberately gave discrepant info on educational qualification'

NEW DELHI: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani deliberately gave discrepant information about her educational qualification in affidavits filed before Election Commission and has not given any clarification despite concerns being raised on the issue, a Delhi court was today told.

A freelance writer, who has filed a criminal complaint against Irani, told this to Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain while recording his pre-summoning evidence in the matter.

Ahmer Khan alleged that Irani had knowingly furnished misleading information about her educational qualification in affidavits filed before poll panel and a candidate deliberately giving incorrect details can be punished under the provisions of IPC and under section 125A of Representation of the People Act (RPA).

Section 125A of RPA deals with penalty for filing false affidavit and entails a jail term of upto six months or fine or both.

Khan claimed that Irani had said in her affidavit that she had done B.Com part-1 from Delhi University, School of Open Learning/Correspondence, but after he inquired about the same from the university, he was told that no such degree of B.Com part-1 can be conferred to anyone unless he/she successfully clears all the three years of the course.

"Whereas, Irani, in her affidavits on oath, consistently, deliberately despite having knowledge has given a discrepant information regarding her educational qualification.

"If she had taken admission in B.Com or any other course in Delhi University...she cannot claim to be holding a degree of B.Com part-1 or Bachelor of Commerce, Part-1," he said.

Recording of Khan's statement today remained inconclusive and would continue on November 20.

"Complainant/CW-1 (Khan) got partially examined. Further examination of the complainant is deferred on his request for want of certain original documents. Put up for further per- summoning evidence on November 20," the court said.