The Supreme Court today said that the Election Commission has the power to inquire into complaints of paid news against a person contesting polls. The apex court dismissed former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan's plea challenging EC's jurisdiction to probe paid news complaints.

The Court also ruled that the Election Commission can disqualify a candidate on lodging false account of poll expense. The apex court has directed Election Commission to complete its probe against Ashok Chavan within 45 days in related poll expense case.

Based on a complaint regarding Mr Chavan's spendings during the 2009 state assembly polls, allegedly involving expenses on paid news, the Election Commission had begun proceedings against him. Mr Chavan had approached the Delhi High Court against the Election Commission which ruled in the Commission's favour.

He then approached the Supreme Court, which had stayed the Election Commission probe.