The Election Commission on Monday issued notice to BJP's chief ministerial candidate in Delhi [Images] V K Malhotra for allegedly violating its directives while filing his nomination papers to contest the assembly polls.

The EC has also transferred Returning Officer of Greater Kailash Bans Raj Ram, ACP Pushpender Kumar and Sub-Inspector K L Yadav of Tilak Marg police station for failing to implement its instructions.

Taking note of media reports about a large turnout of BJP supporters at the office of the Returning Officer when Malhotra submitted his nomination papers on Saturday, the EC has sought an explanation from him by 5 pm on Tuesday on why action should not be taken against him for the alleged violation.

The EC's standing instructions to all Chief Electoral Officers asks them to ensure that not more than five persons, including the candidate, are present inside the office of the Returning Officer when a person submits his nomination papers.

The instructions also restrict the maximum number of vehicles accompanying the candidate to the office of the Returning Officers to three and bars entry of more vehicles within 100 meters of the said office.

The EC has also sought an explanation from Deputy Electoral Officer Faizi Hashmi and Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Anand Mohan for failing to implement the Commission's instructions.

Malhotra had filed his nomination papers at Jamnagar House in New Delhi district on Saturday at 12:25 pm.

The BJP leader contended that he had not violated any instructions of the EC and pointed out that many others had also filed their nomination papers at the same time.

Malhotra said besides him, his wife, their daughter and Delhi BJP chief Harshvardhan were present in the chamber of the Returning Officer Bans Raj Ram at the time of filing the nominations.

"All of us came in one car to submit my nomination papers," Malhotra said.

On the large turnout, Malhotra claimed that many other candidates were also present at the office of the Returning Officer to file their nominations.

"I am surprised at the notice of the Election Commission. However, I will reply appropriately," the BJP leader said.