Thiruvananthapuram: A probe by the state Criminal Intelligence Department (CID) chief has confirmed that the members of the Kerala Police Association were threatened and their postal ballots were seized by its leaders. This serious case of malpractice during the recently held Lok Sabha polls in the state was reported to the DGP by state Intelligence chief ADGP T K Vinod Kumar after conducting a detailed inspection in all districts
DGP Loknath Behera said that action would be taken as malpractice was detected and that the report would be submitted to the Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). However, the DGP is yet to submit the report he had received on Saturday.
The Intelligence ADGP (Additional Director General of Police) was asked to hold a probe after allegations of large-scale malpractice in the postal ballots surfaced. In his probe, the officer even found voice evidence of association leaders threatening the police personnel to collect the postal ballots.
Most of the irregularities were detected at Kasaragod, Kannur, Vadakara, Alathur, Kollam and Attingal Lok Sabha constituencies, the Intelligence chief said in his four-page report.
It was also found that hundreds of postal ballots have been sent to one address. Around 80 ballots were reportedly sent to the house of a member of the Left-linked police association. This house is at Vattapara in Thiruvananthapuram.
Around 45,000 personnel of the half-lakh police force in the state had opted for postal vote.
Postal ballots can be collected till 8 am on May 23, the day of the counting.
Case over bogus voting in Kannur
The police have filed a case against three Muslim League workers for casting bogus votes at Jamaath High School at Puthiyangadi in Kalliasseri in the district.
The CPM filed a complaint against - KM Abdusamad, SV Muhammed Fayis and KM Muhammed – to the police.
The case was filed based on report by the Kasaragod collector.
The police have issued an arrest warrant against Abdusamad, who has fled the country.
A case has been filed against the Congress booth agent too.
