UP elections 2012: Ajit Singh's son caught accepting cash, gets EC notice

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday served a notice to RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary, son of civil aviation minister Ajit Singh, for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by accepting cash from a supporter at an election meeting in Mathura.

Jayant Chaudhary, who represents the Mathura Lok Sabha constituency, was caught on camera accepting the money, said to be around Rs 70,000, from a local leader on Sunday.

"We have sent a notice to Chaudhary seeking his explanation. He was caught on camera accepting money at Govardhan assembly constituency in Mogarra area here," Mathura's ADM Ram Awatar Raman told the agencies.

Chaudhary, however, sees nothing wrong in having accepted the money. "It is not a violation in any way. Please read the election code of conduct. Candidates are entitled to raise money from the constituency, from the constituents to fight election," he was quoted as saying.

The RLD leader added that candidates could take money from people for running elections. "If this is not adequate, they turn to industrial houses to fund campaigns," he added.

The cameras showed Chaudhary handing over the cash to his party candidate and later to his brother-in-law, who was accompanying him on the poll trail.

The assembly constituencies that fall under Mathura will go to vote on February 28. Chaudhary is also contesting assembly polls from Maant seat.

Besides Chaudhary, notice has also been sent to party candidate from Goverdhan, Megh Shyam Singh.