BJP MP Satyapal Singh hid government dues from EC, alleges RTI activist

Mumbai, March 19 BJP MP from Baghpat had allegedly concealed information about unpaid dues to the city collector in his election affidavit, an RTI activist said here on Saturday.

As per a reply under RTI received by Anil Galgali, Singh, a former Mumbai police commissioner of the Indian Police Service, had reportedly withheld information about unpaid dues of a penalty of Rs.48,420 imposed on him by Mumbai Suburban District collectorate in January 2013.

"The penalty was for renting out his flat in Patliputra Society, Andheri without taking proper permission from the collector as required under the laws," Galgali said.

This is because the building is constructed on government subsidised land meant for housing top government officials, mandating permission from the collector after paying the prescribed fees.

"The collectorate had served a notice on January 28, 2013 to Singh, who was Mumbai Police Commissioner at that time, but he chose to ignore it and even the subsequent reminders," Galgali added.

Later, Singh, 60, -- who earlier served as Nagpur and Pune police commissioner -- quit the coveted post (of Mumbai Police Commissioner) to contest the Lok Sabha elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket and won the Baghpat seat in Uttar Pradesh.

It has now come to light that Singh -- who defeated Baghpat strongman, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh in the polls -- reportedly failed to mention this outstanding 'government dues' in his election affidavit as required by the EC rules.

According to EC provisions, a candidate is bound to reveal details of his criminal conviction, pending cases, assets, government liabilities and educational qualifications in the affidavit filed before the Election Officer.

The relevant EC Rule 4 (3) prescribes that the candidate reveal -- 'Laibilities if any, particularly whether there are any old dues of any financial institution or government dues', Galgali explained.

Interestingly, in June 2014, Singh faced major embarrassment when police busted an alleged prostitution racket being run from his 10th floor flat which was leased out to a private company.

Now, Galgali has written to the EC, Lok Sabha Speaker and Prime Minister's Office demanding that Singh be stripped of his Lok Sabha membership for violating and defying EC rules.

The MP could not be immediately contacted.