Election Commission rejects 20 AAP MLAs' petition seeking examination of witnesses in office of profit case

The Election Commission (EC) has rejected Aam Aadmi Party MLAs' petition seeking examination of witnesses in the office of profit case. The Commission is examining the matter in which 20 AAP MLAs are facing disqualification. In its order, the poll panel said, no cogent reason has been given by the applicants for calling any of the witnesses. It said the documents mentioned in the application are all self-explanatory when read in conjunction with other related documents available on



record. 

The EC also said, as far as proving the non-receipt of benefits is concerned, it is reiterated that it is not the actual receipt of benefits but the potential to receive such benefits that were relevant to the inquiry. In January this year, the poll panel had disqualified the MLAs for holding the office of profit as parliamentary secretaries. Later, in March, the Delhi High Court had quashed the move, asking the EC to hear the matter afresh.