PIL filed in SC against PM Modi for irregularities in asset disclosure affidavits

A writ petition seeking the constitution of a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) “to investigate the irregularities” associated with incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s immovable property has been filed in the Supreme Court.

Preferred by former journalist, Saket Gokhale, the petition invokes the fundamental right of a citizen to get relevant information with respect to candidates aspiring to hold public offices under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.

The bone of contention is the Gujarat government policy for allotment of land to public servants including MPs, MLAs, etc. at a nominal price sans auction. Without the permission of the District Collector, this allotted land cannot be transferred or gifted. According to the petitioner, the asset disclosure affidavits filed by the PM show irregularities in connection with one such land parcel allotted to him by the Gujarat government.

The land in question is in Gandhi Nagar and was allegedly allotted to Mr Modi by the Gujarat government for '130,448 which reflects in his Gujarat Assembly Elections Affidavit filed in 2007 but does not reflect in his affidavits filed in 2012 and 2014 for the 16th Lok Sabha Election. Apparently, the PM has declared only 1/4th ownership of another land plot in the same area.

“Being a high executive officer, Modi has a duty to set the highest standards of fairness, probity and transparency in life, the petitioner has submitted.