Is law special for some? Cong on EC observer suspension

The Election Commission’s decision to suspend election observer Mohammed Mohsin, a Karnataka cadre IAS officer, who led a search on the helicopter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Odisha, has kicked up a political row.

“The question is simple. If SPG protectees of the Congress party can be subjected to inspection, why is the same not applicable to the BJP?,” Congress treasurer Ahmed Patel said.

Patel argued that there have been instances where during polls, EC was allowed to check convoys of both current and the former Congress president, as SPG protectees can’t be frisked personally.

“Why suspend an officer for checking PM’s chopper? What message is being sent? Law is special for some?,” Patel said.

“What is Modi carrying in the helicopter that he doesn’t want India to see? An official was suspended by ECI for doing his job of inspecting vehicles. The rule cited governs the use of official vehicles for campaigning. It does not exempt PM’s vehicle from being searched,” the AICC said in another tweet.

Taking a jibe at the incident, the Aam Aadmi Party said, “suspension of the officer who checked PM’s helicopter. The chowkidar lives in his own protected shell! Is the chowkidar trying to hide something?”

The decision evoked criticism even on social media with twitterattis questioning the “alacrity” with which the EC suspended Mohsin on a “non-existing ground.”

A self-claimed Modi supporter, however, said on Twitter that apart from being a violation of SPG protocol, “abrupt” halting of his convoy is a “security threat” which merits investigation by NIA.

The EC had, on Wednesday, suspended Mohsin, a 1996 batch IAS officer, who was deployed as a general observer. Citing reasons for the suspension, it said the action was taken against the officer for “acting contrary to EC instructions on SPG protectees”.

EC launches inquiry

After suspending a Karnakata cadre IAS officer for leading a search on the helicopter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Odisha, the Election Commission (EC) has now launched an inquiry into the incident, reports DHNS from New Delhi.

Umesh Sinha, senior deputy election commissioner, told journalists that the poll panel had sent an official to Sambalpur in Odisha to enquire about the incident and submit a report. The official would also talk to Mohammed Mohsin, who was placed “under suspension with immediate effect and until further orders,” and record his statement.