Published: Monday, 29th September, 2008 11:10am

Disgraced ex-Cllr declared bankrupt

by Aamina Masud

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DISGRACED ex-councillor Eshaq Khan has been made bankrupt.

The 51-year-old, of Oban Court, Chalvey, looked sombre as District Judge Parker filed the papers for a bankruptcy order this morning (Friday).

Craig Montgomery, acting on behalf of petitioner, Lydia Simmons, brought the case forward at Slough County Court after Khan could not pay the £215,000 costs incurred by Mrs Simmons for a special election court hearing earlier this year.

During that case in Slough Town Hall, Khan and his agents were found guilty of vote-rigging in the 2007 May local elections for Slough Borough Council where he unseated ex-Labour councillor Mrs Simmons after 23 years by 120 votes in town's Central Ward.

A judge ruled that the cheats fraudulently won the election by casting postal votes from bogus people living in derelict homes.

In Friday's hearing Khan remained silent when asked if there was any reason why he should not be made bankrupt.

District Judge Parker said: "If you have nothing to say against having a bankruptcy order then that is what I'll do."

Khan will now be subject to a financial audit where his assets will be gathered and shared out between his creditors.

While he is bankrupt, Khan cannot be the director of a limited company, borrow more than £500 without telling the lender he is bankrupt or trade under another name.

Khan still faces criminal proceedings over the election, where he is charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury.