Complaint over Rajeev Chandrasekhar's 'false affidavit', Congress alleges 'gross violation'

A complaint has been filed against Union IT Minister and BJP’s Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleging that he has filed a “false affidavit” in his nomination.

The complaint was filed by a person named Renjith Thomas and is addressed to Geromic George, Returning Officer and District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram.

What the complaint alleges

“I am voter in BTM Layout Assembly Constituency, Bengaluru, Karnataka where Rajeev was contesting for Rajya Sabha. I have filed multiple petitions in Delhi High Court and Supreme Court with Election Commission with regard to the false affidavit filed by Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar in 2018 Rajya Sabha Elections. However, the petition is still stuck with Election Commission despite multiple follow ups (sic),” Thomas wrote in his complaint.

“Upon careful examination of Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar's affidavit submitted for the election nominations, it has become apparent that numerous discrepancies exist between the declared assets and his actual wealth. I possess documentary evidence...,” the complainant added sharing details, and accusing him of being “habitual offender”.

Chandrasekhar is contesting against Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and sitting MP Shashi Tharoor, and CPI veteran Pannian Raveendran in the April 26 polls.

The copy of the same complaint by Thomas was shared on X (Twitter) by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee on Friday (April 5) afternoon.

What Congress says

Sharing the complaint, the Kerala unit of the Congress wrote, “We've accessed the petition regarding the False Affidavit filed by Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The complaint was filed to @ECISVEEP @collectortvpm and EC Observer. Rajeev has declared assets of only 36 Cr. The whole world knows that he is a billionaire.”

The Congress alleged that there are “glaring mistakes” in Chandrasekhar’s affidavit.

“There are glaring mistakes in his affidavit itself, where he has shown his shares/bonds/debentures holding as a liability (negative) and manipulated the data to show a low figure of 36 Cr. He has written two different figures of 9 Cr and 13 Cr for in two different places.”

'Not declared two properties'

The party alleged that Chandrasekhar has “not declared two of his properties worth hundreds of crores of rupees” in Bengaluru.

“He has not declared two of his properties worth hundreds of crores of rupees which is #408 and #445 in the posh neighbourhood of Koramangala 3rd Block, Bengaluru, which are in the same compound. He has shown the property as his residing address though,” it claimed.

Further, the Congress shared some documents claiming that they are property tax receipts of Chandrasekhar and said they can “release more proof” if the Election Commission of India (EC) asks.

“Below are the property tax receipts from 2017-18 period which shows clearly that the 49000 sq.ft mansion is in the name of Rajeev Chandrasekhar himself. Not in his company's name. If you need more proof we are ready to release,” it said.

Chandrasekhar declares assets worth Rs 28 crore

Chandrasekhar submitted his nomination papers on Thursday and has declared assets worth over Rs 28 crore.

As per the affidavit filed along with the nomination paper, the total value of his movable assets stands at Rs 13,69,18,637, while his spouse possesses assets valued at Rs 12,47,00,408.

These include cash in hand, details of deposits in banks, non-banking financial companies, and cooperative societies, as well as investments in bonds, debentures, shares, units in companies/mutual funds, and other financial instruments.

His movable assets also comprise a 1942 model Red Indian Scout, registered in Karnataka and purchased in 1994 for Rs 10,000, along with jewellery, bullion, and other valuable items valued at over Rs 3.25 crore.

The BJP leader's immovable assets include self-acquired property purchased at a price of Rs 5,26,42,640, with an approximate current market value of Rs 14,40,00,000.

He has liabilities of Rs 19,41,92,894 that are under dispute, while his spouse's liabilities under the same category amount to Rs 1,63,43,972. These include loans from banks, financial institutions, and others.

Chandrasekhar's total income shown in the 2022-23 Income Tax return is Rs 5,59,200, while it was Rs 680 for the year 2021-22.