AIADMK seeks direction against indiscriminate arrests

Chennai, Oct 10 (UNI) An AIADMK candidate for the Local Body Election today filed a petition in Madras High Court, seeking to restrain the Commissioner of Police (COP) from resorting to indiscriminate arrests of the AIADMK party functionaries on the basis of false complaints given by the ruling party members.

The petition by the candidate N Bala Ganga, contesting for the post of councillor in ward number 106, Pudupet, is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow.

In his petition, Bala Ganga prayed for a direction to the police officers to receive complaints given by AIADMK party workers disclosing commission of cognisable offences and take action against the persons concerned in respect of election related disputes.

He also prayed for a direction to the State Election Commission to issue necessary directions as done during the Assembly Election by the Election Commission of India, to ensure free and fair election by videographing of the polling in sensitive booths and prevent the third parties unconnected with a particular ward from entering the polling booths on the dates of local body elections and the counting centres on the day of counting of votes.

He alleged that under the guise of preventive measurea, the COP and his subordinate police officers have been arresting the AIADMK party workers without any complaint. The purpose was only to prevent them from canvassing for their candidates.

The COP and the State Election Commissioner were acting hand in glove with the ruling party. The COP was not taking complaints given by AIADMK party workers. Whenever a complaint is given to the police, it was simply being thrown out for obvious reasons, he contended.

UNI XR VV SHB ND2012