The West Bengal government appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to withdraw its directive to file an FIR against four state officials and one employee accused of irregularities in the voter list, including illegal inclusion of names, during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
According to sources at Nabanna, the state secretariat, the state Home Department has written to the Commission seeking leniency for the officials, arguing that criminal action would amount to a “disproportionately harsh punishment” for what it termed a minor offence. The state has also conveyed that it has already taken corrective and administrative steps in the matter.
Sources said the letter to the Commission cited the opinion of the State Advocate General, who reportedly stated that filing an FIR after the state’s internal action would be excessive. “Given the steps already taken by the state government regarding the mistakes made by these officials, filing an FIR would amount to severe punishment for a minor offence. Hence, the order should be withdrawn,” the communication reportedly stated.
The issue dates back to August 5 last year, when the Election Commission recommended the suspension of the four officers over alleged voter list irregularities and called for criminal cases to be registered against them. The following day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly criticised the move while addressing a public meeting in Jhargram, accusing the Commission of attempting to intimidate officials months ahead of elections and alleging political bias. She also assured officials of the state government’s protection.
What followed was a prolonged standoff between the state government and the Election Commission. When Nabanna did not act on the Commission’s recommendation, the ECI sent repeated communications seeking compliance. Instead of suspending all the officers or filing FIRs, the state removed one Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) and one data entry operator from election-related duties.
Earlier, the state had informed the Commission that the four officers were being temporarily suspended and that departmental inquiries would be conducted. It had also sought additional time to decide on filing FIRs. However, months passed without any criminal cases being registered.
In view of the delay, the Election Commission recently instructed the District Election Officer (DEO) to directly file an FIR against the officials. The latest appeal from Nabanna seeks withdrawal of this directive.
The matter is now under the Election Commission’s consideration, and its decision is awaited.
Also read: Kolkata Police begin probe on Mamata's complaint against ED raids
Follow us
