Complaint against Smriti Irani to be heard on June 1

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS): A court here on Thursday fixed June 1 to hear a complaint against Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani for allegedly misrepresenting facts in her election affidavit while imposing a cost of Rs.1,000 on the complainant for his non-appearance.

Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain asked complainant Ahmer Khan to pay Rs.1,000 to Delhi Legal Service Authority after he failed to appear in the court. Khan, who could not appear as he was out of Delhi, had sought exemption from personal appearance. The court allowed his exemption application but still slapped the cost.

Khan has filed a complaint last month seeking action against the minister for lying on oath about her educational qualification. According to the complaint, Irani, in an affidavit filed for the 2004 Lok Sabha election, declared herself to be a 1996 batch B.A. graduate from Delhi University but in her 2014 Lok Sabha election affidavit, stated she had done B.Com Part 1 in 1994 from Delhi University.

“It is evident from the contents of the affidavits filed by Irani that at best, only one of the depositions by her on oath in respect of her educational qualifications is correct,” said the petitioner’s counsel K.K. Manan.

The petition further added that Irani also lied on oath about her assets and it also sought action against her for offences under the Representation of the People Act.