New Delhi, March 30: The Election Commission ordered the suspension of an official leading a flying squad in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district for failing to check the vehicle of DMK candidate A Raja thoroughly.
The action came after media reports of the flying squad checking the vehicle that was carrying several suitcases at an inter-state check-post near Coonoor, Kerala showed a “casual attitude".
Taking into account media reports and a subsequent inquiry by the Nilgiris Returning Officer and Expenditure Observer, the head of the team, Geetha, was suspended and the entire team replaced.
As per EC instructions, candidates’ vehicles are to be checked if cash of more than `50,000 or gifts worth `10,000 and above are found, they are to be seized.
The flying squad’s own videos and the media reports showed superficial checking and the other cars in the cavalcade were not checked at all.
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