Orissa High Court directs ECI to probe misconduct of returning officer in RS poll

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to probe into the alleged misconduct of a returning officer during Rajya Sabha poll in Odisha.

The high court directed to dispose of the petition as expeditiously as possible, said petitioner Subash Mohapatra.

He had moved the court challenging the decision of returning officer Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, who found the nomination of Rajya Sabha candidate Achyut Samant valid.

Mohapatra, who had also filed nomination for the biennial poll, had alleged before the returning officer that Achyut has submitted false affidavit during the election.

However, Patil rejected his allegations and documents submitted before him to substantiate his claim, alleged Mohapatra.

In the Rajya Sabha poll, three Biju Janata Dal candidates including Achyut Samant declared elected uncontested.