The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday issued notice to former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi on a plea seeking directions to set aside his as Lok Sabha MP from Jalandhar (reserved) seat in Punjab.

Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma issued the notice after taking cognizance of a plea filed by Gaurav Luthra (36), a resident of Jalandhar district in Punjab.The petitioner claimed himself to be a whistleblower and a social activist. The matter has been fixed for Sept 30 for further hearing.

As per the election petition filed under Representation of People Act, it has been alleged that Channi used illegal means and unfair and corrupt practice during the election process for getting elected. It has been alleged that Channi intentionally concealed material in affidavit submitted along with nomination papers and for filing false and fabricated information to the Election Commission.

Directions have been sought to declare his election as void under Section 100 of the Representation of People Act 1951. Notification for parliamentary elections in Punjab was issued on March 16, polling was held on June 1, and the result declared on June 4.

It has been stated in the petition that Channi had not supplied complete particulars required under rules and guidelines issued by the EC. A bare perusal of the affidavit would show Channi concealed requisite particulars from his affidavit in Form No. 26 which were required to be disclosed in the affidavit, says the plea.

According to the petitioner, Channi also concealed information about expenditure incurred by him during the election process. The petition has also alleged that Channi wrongly mentioned the expenditure of singers used during the campaign at the rate of Rs 10,000 per programme, whereas minimum expenditure to be considered by the EC is Rs 30,000 for local singers.