Saturday, April 15 2006 15:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A Samajwadi Party MP today (Apr 15, 2006) filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking removal of controversial Election Commissioner Navin Chawla apprehending that he would not discharge his duty impartially in view of several allegations of improprieties levelled against him.

The PIL filed by Chandra Bushan Singh has also sought interpretation of the term "office of profit" for disqualifying a person as a MP.

Citing several allegations against Chawla, the SP leader has sought laying down criteria for the appointment of persons as ECs as these constitutional functionaries are vested with giving 'binding opinions' to the President under Article 103 of the Constitution.

Maintaining that several petitions have been preferred before the President for taking action under Article 103, the PIL has sought a direction that the EC should not proceed on any of the individual case relating to the disqualification of any MP on the ground that they are holding an office of profit.

The MP, who is also the Chairman of Parliamentary Joint Committee on office of profit, said before proceeding on those petitions, the EC should consult and obtain the view of the JPC and pending disposal of this petition it should not take any decision.

While seeking removal of Chawla, the PIL contended that he was unfit to discharge his function as EC as the Shah Commission which was constituted to investigate into the excesses committed during the emergency has given several findings against him.