Clean chit to Fadnavis overturned, SC orders probe (Lead)

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) In a major setback to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a Bombay High Court order that prevented the trial court from examining a poll-related complaint against him.

The apex court has set aside concurrent clean chit by trial court and Bombay High Court to Fadnavis on filing false election affidavit allegedly not disclosing two criminal cases pending against him.

The apex court has allowed the trial court to examine if he concealed criminal cases in the nomination papers filed.

A complaint was filed by Satish Ukey against Fadanvis in the magistrate’s court seeking his prosecution for not disclosing all the details of pending criminal cases.

The case was quashed by the High Court. Then, the petitioner filed the appeal in the apex court.

With the top court allowing the appeal, the complaint will be revived before the magistrate’s court as per procedure. Although, this direction will have no bearing upon the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.