Poll panel ordered FIR against TN CM, reveals RTI

The Election Commission of India (EC) has ordered to register an FIR against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and five others, an RTI query has revealed.

The chief minister, along with Electricity Minister P Thangamani, Education Minister K A Sengottiyan, Health Minister Vijaya Bhaskar, Co-operative Minister Sellur Raju and AIADMK Amma candidate for R K Nagar bypoll T T V Dhinakaran, has been accused of distributing money to voters in R K Nagar.

However, it was not immediately known whether the EC authorities here had filed the complaint or not. Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu Rajesh Lakhoni did not respond to several requests over cell phone with regard to the issue.

EC’s initiative was revealed in a reply to an RTI application filed by advocate Vairakannan, who asked the poll panel what action has been proposed against Palaniswami and others for the alleged misconduct in R K Nagar bypoll.

The EC, in its reply dated May 25, 2017, said the commission has directed that an FIR be filed by the returning officer against the six people.

No new measure

When contacted, the EC sources in New Delhi said the poll panel had not initiated any new measure in this connection of late. The commission had earlier issued directions to the chief election officer of Tamil Nadu to lodge an FIR. The EC, however, had not asked for lodging the FIR against any specific individual. Action could be initiated against individuals only after investigation, said EC sources in New Delhi.

The advocate also reportedly claimed that he had moved the Madras High Court seeking orders to file FIR against the chief minister and five others. According to him, the case is expected to come up for hearing on June 27. 

Meanwhile, DMK working president Stalin said his party would also file a petition with the high court if a criminal case is not registered against Palaniswami and other ministers as recommended by the poll panel.