Misleading probe’: Election Commission suspends DCP, ACP, CI in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The Election Commission of India (ECI), has suspended three Hyderabad police officers for misleading investigations by not naming the accused and for attempting to dilute the case. Based on a report submitted by special observers over seizure of ₹18 lakh cash from Musheerabad on Wednesday, the ECI suspended Musheerabad inspector Jahangir Yadav, Chikkadpally ACP A Yadagiri and DCP (Central Zone) M. Venkateshwarulu.

The suspension order said that the three officers “were found to be acting in a partisan manner.”

According to a report sent by Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sandeep Shandilya to the State Nodal Police Observer, ₹18 lakh cash, a mobile phone and a cheque book were seized from a vehicle bearing registration number AP 28 CH 6759 at Santosh Elite apartment at Musheerabad.

Yadav (SHO) booked a case under Cr.PC 102 (Power of police officer to seize certain property) and mentioned the accused as unknown.

Shandilya, while recommending the suspension of the three officers, wrote, “The SHO should have applied the Sections 171 (B), 171 (E) and 188 IPC, instead of 102 Cr.PC. It was a definite attempt to shield the real accused behind this crime.”

The ECI noted, “The police officers could have taken action under relevant law by name as the owner of the vehicle, cellphone and to whom the money belonged could have been ascertained within a few minutes of the seizure.” It added, “Instead of taking proper legal action against the culprits, they were apparently trying to dilute the case and mislead the investigation by not naming the accused.”

The three officers were suspended for dereliction of duty, with immediate effect, and necessary disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against them.

Telangana Election Statistics

Meanwhile, sharing the data for the elections, The ECI said that 2,290 candidates were contesting the elections in 119 constituencies which included 2,068 men, 221 women and one transgender. There are 49 counting centres (One each in 31 Districts + 4 in Ranga Reddy and 14 in Hyderabad).

A total of 45,000 State police are being deployed as part of the Assembly elections in the State, besides other forces including 3,000 from other departments, 50 companies TSSP and 375 companies of CAPF. Here are the complete statistics.

Home Voting including Essential Services - 26660

Postal Ballots issued to Voters to cast vote in Facilitation Centres - 168612

Polled up to 25-11-2023 - 96526

Postal ballots counted in the 2018 Elections - 100135

EPICs printed in 2023 - 54.39 lakhs

Total Contesting Candidates - 2290 (Male – 2068, Female – 221, Transgender – 1)

Total Counting Centres - 49 (One in 31 Districts + 4 in Rangareddy & 14 in Hyderabad)

Deployment of Forces - 45000 State Police

                                         3000 Other Departments

                                         50 Companies TSSP

                                         375 Companies of CAPF (100 reached earlier + 196 reached in last two days, 74 reaching today & 5 already Locally stationed)

                                         Home Guards coming from neighbouring States - 23500

                                         (Karnataka-5000, AP-5000, Maharashtra-5000, MP-2000, Orissa-2000, TN-2000 & Chattisgarh-2500)

Total No. of Teams/Squads : 1866

Staff deployed : 208000

FIRs on MCC Violations : 1020

FIR on Seizures :

Cash : 97

Precious Metals : 5

Drugs : 317

Liquor : 10325

Freebies : 86

MCMC permissions given : 1280

Confirmed Paid News identified : 37

Links removed on Social Media on the complaints of Political Parties : 120

Permissions given on Suvidha : 41436 (86% approved)

Complaints on cVigil : 7626

Call centre (Action Taken):

District - 44282

State - 2534

NGRS - 6343

1950 - 784

Accessible components for PwD Voters:

Wheel Chairs :21686 (One wheel chair at every polling station)

Voter Slips in Braille for visually Challenged – 76532

Voter’s Guide in Braille for visually Challenged - 40000

Dummy Ballot papers in Braille for visually Challenged – 40000

Transport for 80+ & PwD to Polling Stations by Returning Officer

Posters in Polling Stations for their help.