Additional CEO holds inquiry with Tahsildar, three others in Madurai

After inspection, the Additional CEO conducted an inquiry with Sampoornam, the Tahsildar, who has stirred a controversy by entering the strong room without permission and allegedly took away some polling documents on Saturday evening, and three others including Seenivasan, Rajaprakash and Suryaprakash.

He also convened a meeting with candidates, who contested from Madurai Lok Sabha constituency and their agents, and sought their opinions about this incident.

Later, Balaji held discussions with Madurai Collector S Natarajan and Commissioner of Police S Davidson Devasirvatham on security arrangements at the counting centre, sources said.

Talking to reporters, the Additional CEO said inquiries were conducted with the suspended staff and also with other department staff. A report would soon be submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer and also to the EC following which appropriate action would be initiated.

When asked about the objection of government employees who said that suspension of the staff was wrong and demanded a thorough enquiry, he said such claims would be taken to the notice of authorities concerned. Responding to a query on whether the suspended employees were deputed on duty at the counting centre, he said they were posted on polling duty.

Even before the case of Karnataka IAS officer Mohammad Mohsin’s suspension by the Election Commission is settled, another fresh case of controversy related to Tamil Nadu IAS officer C Umashankar had surfaced. Media reports from Bhopal stated that C Umashankar was removed from poll duty after his alleged involvement in “faith healing” activities. The issue has led to discussions in the power corridors of Secretariat.