Chennai, April 2: The Election Commission on Tuesday reportedly blocked the release of a book highlighting the alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter jets deal. The action was taken by the polling body citing the imposition of Model Code of Conduct. Nearly 148 copies of the book were seized by the EC officials from the Chennai-office of the author, S Vijayan.

The book, titled, "Rafale: The Scam That Rocked The Nation" was first scheduled to be released at a school by veteran journalist N Ram, who has himself authored several articles in The Hindu pointing to the alleged violation of rules in the deal between the government of India and French arms manufacturer Dassault Aviation.

The school revoked permission for the event citing the poll code imposed by the EC. Subsequently, the launch programme was shifted to the author's office. A team of Tamil Nadu EC officials, however, rushed to the spot with police personnel and seized all the copies of the book, reports said.

But State Chief Electoral Office (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo said no orders were issued by him to prevent the book's release. "I have directed DEO [District Election Officer), Chennai, to look into this matter and give a report immediately," he was reported as saying.

The author was asked to approach the court and seek permission for launching the Rafale book -- as the EC fears it could influence the voting pattern in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019.

The Rafale issue has remained in headlines over the last year, ever since activists Prashant Bhushan, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, and former BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie moved the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe.

The petitioners, along with the Opposition Congress party, charged the government of "violating the norms" to ensure industrialist Anil Ambani's newly floated firm is chosen as the offset partner in the deal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 02, 2019 04:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).