Kannur/Kasaragod: A CBI team will investigate the case of missing postal ballot in Bekal Police Station, according to State Police Chief Loknath Behra. The DGP also informed that strict action will be undertaken against those reponsible. 33 police personnel belonging to the Bekal police station were selectively denied the postal votes earlier.
The blatant misuse of postal ballots meant for police personnel in the state by vested interests in the Kerala Police Association (KPA) has sullied the image of the force as well as the electoral watchdog.
It is said the special branch of the Kerala Police and officials of district collectorates likely connived with those who executed the electoral fraud with the purported backing of their political masters. A late-night raid carried out in Kannur district yesterday amid allegations that KPA leaders garnered the postal ballots of cops has reportedly upset the CPM leadership and certain sections of the police force.
An explanation could be sought from the district police chief on the checks conducted at night.
Even the bathrooms of cops were searched in the lightening raid and such acts could rob the force of its valour, a section of officers argued. They also said rumours like postal ballots were found lying by the roadside were false. However, district police chief G Siva Vikram IPS did not react to these allegations.
The swift action has brought disgrace to the police force, according to a report submitted by the Intelligence wing to DGP Loknath Behera.
33 cops of the Bekel police station in Kasaragod did not receive postal ballots. In all 54 request forms were sent out via the Kottikulam post office. Seven police personnel and one home guard received the postal ballots, but three did not apply. Five of those who submitted the application forms complained to the district returning officer via email in this regard, but they got no reply.
Though a probe was held in Thrissur district, it was likely to be terminated by concluding that there were no complainants. Allegations were rife that postal ballots of more than 200 cops in city and rural police district were seized by association leaders.
Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram range Crime Branch IG sent out a circular to unit chiefs, asking all cops to inform if they have any complaints regarding postal ballots.
The complaint should be submitted to Thrissur Crime Branch SP by 5pm Monday. The probe report has to be submitted to Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena before May 16.
Missing forms
The forms were brought to the post office by civil police officers of the Bekel station on April 12 and -13. These were handed to the staff directly on day one. Though the staff pointed out that stamps should be pasted on them, it was not done. Next day, the forms were put in the postal box. The postal ballots of forms submitted on the first day are now missing.
A cop linked to the police association was asked to submit the request forms of 22 cops of a police a station at Kunnamkulam in Thrissur. The cop left for the collectorate with all the forms. However, only 13 got the postal ballots.
