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ECI Rejects Bengal Cop's Plea, Orders Him to Tamil Nadu as Poll Observer

The Election Commission of India has rejected former Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar's plea for relief from deputation as a central observer to Tamil Nadu on medical grounds. The Commission has directed him to report as a police observer for five Assembly constituencies in Tirunelveli district. Sarkar was removed as Kolkata Police Commissioner after the Model Code of Conduct came into force and barred from election duty in West Bengal following opposition demands. The BJP had argued that officers like him could influence the polling process in favor of the ruling Trinamool Congress if they remained in the state.

Key Points: ECI Rejects Supratim Sarkar's Plea, Orders Him to Tamil Nadu

  • ECI rejects medical plea
  • Directed to report as police observer
  • Opposition demanded his removal
  • Barred from Bengal election duty
  • Will observe 5 Tamil Nadu constituencies
2 min read

ECI rejects ex-Kolkata CP's plea for relief from deputation to TN as observer

Ex-Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar must report to Tamil Nadu as a central poll observer after ECI rejects his medical plea.

"Sarkar has no other option but to report to Tamil Nadu by Monday. - Commission insider"

Kolkata, April 6

The Election Commission of India has rejected the plea from former Kolkata Police Commissioner and the current Additional Director General of Criminal Investigation Department of West Bengal, Supratim Sarkar, for relief from going as a central observer to poll-bound Tamil Nadu.

The Commission has also directed Sarkar to report as the police observer for five Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, namely Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, Palayamkottai, Nanguneri, and Radhapuram, all in Tirunelveli district, a Commission insider said.

Earlier, on April 4, the Commission had announced its decision to send Sarkar on deputation as a police observer in Tamil Nadu. However, Sarkar immediately made a plea to the Commission for relief from the deputation to Tamil Nadu on medical grounds.

Now, finally, with the Commission rejecting the plea, Sarkar has no other option but to report to Tamil Nadu by Monday.

Just a few days before the announcement of polling dates for West Bengal, Sarkar was appointed the Kolkata Police Commissioner by the Mamata government, replacing his predecessor, Manoj Kumar Verma.

However, the Commission removed him from that chair after the Model Code of Conduct came into force and also barred him from any election-related duty in West Bengal. Ajay Nana replaced Sarkar as per the ECI's directive.

Even after that, there were persistent demands from the opposition parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party, to send Sarkar out of the state during the polling period.

The BJP contended that unless removed from the state during the period of polling in West Bengal, police officers like Sarkar will continue attempting to influence the polling process on behalf of the ruling Trinamool Congress sitting at their respective chairs in the state's police administration.

The two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal will be on April 23 and April 29. In the first phase, voting will be held in 152 Assembly constituencies, and in the second phase, the remaining 142 seats will go to the polls. The results will be declared on May 4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While I understand the need for fair elections, I feel a bit for the officer. Being sent on deputation just before state elections, that too on medical grounds plea being rejected... seems harsh. The human aspect gets lost in political games sometimes.
S
Siddharth J
This is a very clever move by ECI. Sending him to Tamil Nadu, far from Bengal's political heat. Tirunelveli is a peaceful posting. It removes any potential controversy and allows the Bengal polls to proceed without this shadow. Good decision.
A
Aryan P
The timing is everything! Appointed as CP just before MCC, then removed, and now this. It shows how important it is for the ECI to be proactive. The opposition's demand was valid. Officers perceived as partisan should not be in charge during elections.
M
Michael C
Observing from outside, India's election process is fascinating. The Commission seems to have significant authority to enforce neutrality. Sending a senior police officer to another state as an observer is a strong measure to prevent local bias.
K
Kavya N
With respect, I hope the medical grounds plea was examined thoroughly and not just brushed aside for administrative convenience. The officer's health is important too. The ECI must balance strictness with empathy.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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