Case filed against Kerala CPI(M) leader after his claim about postal ballot tampering
The Kerala Police on Friday registered a criminal case against Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader G Sudhakaran after he claimed that postal ballots were tampered with in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, The Indian Express reported.
At an event of the Kerala NGO Union, which is affiliated to the party, in Alappuzha on Wednesday, Sudhakaran claimed that postal votes were manipulated to benefit the Community Party of India (Marxist) candidate in the Alappuzha constituency during the polls.
He added that “even if the Election Commission is to initiate a case over the matter, it will not be a problem”, The Hindu reported.
State Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar on Thursday said that the Election Commission was treating Sudhakaran’s statement “with utmost seriousness”, The Indian Express reported. Kelkar had directed the Alappuzha district election officer to file a first information report and begin a “detailed investigation”.
The same day, Ambalappuzha Tahsildar S Anvar recorded Sudhakaran’s statement.
The police registered an FIR against Sudhakaran based on the video of his speech, citing violations related to maintaining the secrecy of voting, unlawful removal of ballot papers, booth capturing and other offences under the 1951 Representation of the People Act, OnManorama reported.
Charges were also filed under the Indian Penal Code for using forged documents as genuine, the news outlet added. The penalties for some of the...
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