Poll panel orders probe into Chhapra violence

MANDATE 2004

The Election Commission has decided to hold a detailed inquiry into incidents of alleged booth capturing in Chhapra Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.

According to poll panel sources, a two-member team will soon leave for Bihar, to conduct an inquiry. The team comprising KJ Rao, adviser in the commission, and Ananth Kumar, principal secretary, would visit the constituency and hold a detailed inquiry early next month.

The elections in Chhapra, where Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav is contesting against Union Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy (BJP), has been marred by reports of large-scale violence and attacks by the supporters of the different candidates, on the polling booths.

The decision to hold an inquiry by the poll panel, into the possible booth capturing, is significant. Based on the reports, the poll panel has the power to countermand the polls and hold it afresh, if needed.

The poll panel team is expected to hold discussions with all the candidates and those who wish to give evidence before it, about the incidents in the constituency on the polling day, on April 26. Sources said the commission wanted to satisfy itself about the genuineness of the complaints.

Rudy has demanded countermanding of polls in the constituency. He met the commission yesterday demanding repoll in the constituency. He has alleged large-scale rigging by supporters of the RJD chief.

Meanwhile, Rudy said today the election-related cases registered against him in Chhapra were "politically motivated" as they were lodged four days after polling in the constituency.

He said the cases of booth-capturing, scuffle and intimidation against him were lodged after he complained to the Commission. Police have registered two cases against him and his bodyguards today, charging them with booth grabbing, indulging in scuffle, theft and intimidating voters during polling on April 26.