Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 30: In a major embarrassment for Congress, the Flying Squad of the Election Commission today seized two campaign vehicles of the party, one of which was carrying Rs 57,200 worth cash, allegedly meant for distribution among the voters, in Bishnah.
In related developments, the Election Commission today ordered removal of SHO Samba Inspector Hassan Kamaal on an anonymous complaint while former Minister and Congress leader RS Chib held a public meeting at Suchetgarh in a Government school in clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Police detained a political worker along with a pistol, who was campaigning with Socialist Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Gursagar Singh.
Official sources told the Excelsior that a Flying Squad of the Election Commission today seized two vehicles of Congress candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat, Madan Lal Sharma at Deoli and Bishnah, one of which was carrying Rs 57,200 worth cash, which was allegedly meant for distribution among the voters.
The seized vehicle Rino bearing registration No. 3013 JK02AL was campaigning for the Congress candidate without permission while Scorpio No. 2600 JK02BC was seized with Rs 57,200 cash though the vehicle had permission for campaigning.
Sources said the Election Commission’s Flying Squad raided the venue of a Congress meeting at village Deoli in Bishnah tehsil and seized the Scorpio carrying Rs 57,200 cash apart from the Congress pamphlets and stickers. The Squad seized Rino vehicle of the Congress at Bishnah, which was campaigning for the party without permission.
The EC’s Flying Squad handed over both the vehicles to Bishnah police station, where a FIR under Section 171H RPC has been registered.
However, the Congress workers travelling in the vehicle and the drivers fled away from the spot when the Election Commission’s Flying Squad conducted searches.
Sources said the seizure of cash from the Congress vehicle was a serious offence and has brought major embarrassment to the party.
In yet another embarrassment for the party, Congress leader and former Minister RS Chib held a public meeting at a Government school at Suchetgarh in RS Pura today in clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Mr Chib addressed the small public meeting in support of Congress candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat Madan Lal Sharma in the Government school, violating Code of Conduct. The Election Commission was, however, yet to receive a formal complaint on Code of Conduct violation by Mr Chib, sources said.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission today ordered removal of SHO Samba Inspector Hassan Kamaal after receiving an anonymous complaint.
Complying with the order, police authorities shifted Inspector Kamaal and posted Inspector Ravinder Singh Parihar in his place.
Bishnah police today detained one Mohinder Pal Singh, a resident of Karan Bagh for campaigning with SDP candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat Gursagar Singh while carrying a licenses pistol with him.
Police have seized the licenses weapon and detained Singh in the police station at Bishnah.
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