UP Assembly Elections 2022: EC suspends top cop after massive SP gathering, FIR lodged
UP Elections 2022: The Uttar Pradesh state election commission suspended Dinesh Singh Bisht, the station house officer (SHO) of Lucknow's Gautampalli police station for "dereliction of duty" and ordered clarification from two senior officials regarding violation of Covid-related norms after a massive gathering at the office of the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow on Friday.
Hundreds of people showed up at the Samajwadi Party's office on Friday to physically attend a "virtual rally."
In an official statement, the Chief Election Commissioner stated that the police station in-charge at Gautampalli has been suspended with "immediate effect due to gross negligence in the discharge of duties."
"Taking cognizance of the report of the District Magistrate, Lucknow, sent by the Election Commission of India on January 14 regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct, issued by the Election Commission of India, instructions have been given to suspend the police station in-charge Gautampalli, Dinesh Singh with immediate effect due to gross negligence in the discharge of duties," read an official statement.
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The commission has directed Assistant Commissioner of Police Akhilesh Singh and Returning Officer 174-Lucknow Central Vidhan Sabha seat, Additional Municipal Magistrate-I Govind Maurya to provide clarification by 11 a.m. on Saturday.
The rally, according to Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash, was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct and COVID-19 guidelines, instigating authorities to file an FIR.
Around 2500 people gathered at the Samajwadi Party office, according to Lucknow Commissioner of Police DK Thakur.
"According to the election code of conduct, no rally or gathering can take place until January 15. Our team arrived and documented the event. We've lodged a case based on the violations "he added.
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, party state president Naresh Uttam Patel said, "there was a virtual press conference by Akhilesh Yadav, but it was the love of the people that they came here. It is not the fault of party workers or our party."
"There was a virtual programme of the joining of the leaders. Nobody was invited to the office. But the people came and followed the Covid-19 protocols, wore masks. No action was taken against the crowd in the market under the watch of the ministers of the BJP. And they are taking action against the virtual programme in the Samajwadi Party's office. This is wrong," he added.
The state will conduct elections in seven phases from February 10 to March 7, with voting on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7.
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-PTC News
