PM’s Chopper Checking In Sambalpur Proves Costly For Poll Observer

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has suspended a high-ranking poll observer for checking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s chopper in Sambalpur on Tuesday, in violation of norms. The PM was there to hold an election rally.

Karnataka cadre IAS officer Mohammed Mohsin was suspended on the grounds of “dereliction of duty” with regard to “SPG protectees”.

According to an EC communication, he was suspended for “actions contrary to the instructions of the Commission concerning SPG protectees” on April 16.

“Whereas, this has been confirmed in the written report on April 16 by the district election officer, Sambalpur, and the DIG Sambalpur, the Commission prima-facia finds the action of Mohammad Mohsin contrary to the instructions of the commission concerning SPG protectees,” the EC order said.

“It has been laid down that SPG protectees are exempted from checking. He should have known the instruction as being an observer. The reason for the suspension is dereliction of duty,” an EC official said.

The order exempting SPG protectees, including the PM, was issued in April 2014.

The prime minister was stated to have been held up at the place for around 15 minutes because of the sudden checking, the official said.

The commission has now deputed Deputy Election Commissioner Dharmendra Sharma to visit Sambalpur to conduct a detailed inquiry and furnish a report in two days.