Google Search for Web:

Kajal Agrawal

Election Commission accused of sharing electoral roll with Delhi Police after riots in capital Featured

  25 अगस्त 2020

The Delhi Police wanted to procure a digital copy of the electoral roll as it wanted to use a software to match the faces digitally to its list of riot suspects, said reports.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had allegedly shared photos and addresses of all the residents of north-east Delhi with police after the February 2020 pogrom. This is in contravention to the rules of the Commission. However, the ECI denies the charge.

According to a letter put out by activist Saket Gokhale, Under Secretary Rajan Agarwal had directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi to ‘display the electoral roll along with images of electors of north-east Parliamentary constituency with the Delhi Police.

The letter by Agarwal stated, “I am directed to refer to your letter dated 06.03.2020, on the subject cited, and to state that the electoral database of entire AC/District should not be shared with the Police Authorities in accordance with the Commission’s prevailing policy and practice. 

The Commission, keeping in view of the request of Delhi Police that photographs of electors, as available in the electoral roll of North-East Shahdara and East Delhi Districts are to be matched with the photographs of culprits captured through CCTV and other video footage available with the investigation team of recent incidence of violence in Delhi, has directed to advise CEO Delhi to display the electoral roll along with images of electors of North-East Parliamentary Constituency before the investigating officer in his office. Action be taken accordingly.”

The Delhi Police had sought the digital electoral database of three districts in north-east Delhi where the pogrom had happened in February in connection with their investigation. The Delhi Police has come under severe criticism for inaction against BJP and Hindu leaders for their role in the communal violence in the area. They had approached the state Chief Electoral Officer, and the Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava had also written to the poll panel in the first week of March.

The Delhi Police wanted to procure a digital copy of the electoral roll as it wanted to use a software to match the faces digitally to its list of riot suspects, said reports.

The EC issued a press statement saying that it had followed original guidelines of 2008 and clarificatory orders of 2020 on sharing of electoral roll and EPIC database with various government departments.

“It is hereby clarified in view of the anecdotal reports which are not based on empirical facts, that the Commission has not in any way deviated from the original guidelines of 2008 and clarificatory orders of 2020 in any manner,” said the EC.

“It also needs to be stated that as far as criminal investigations by regulatory departments/ enforcement agencies is concerned, it is under their own extant Acts, Rules and guidelines, which in any case can be challenged in the Hon’ble Courts of law. In fact, the entire super structure of criminal justice system is erected on this. It is only when the Model Code of Conduct is enforced that Election Commission invariably takes note of any such event(s)/ incident(s), which have the potential of disturbing and/ or disrupting the smooth conduct of electoral process and ECI does not interfere in the day to day functioning of the regulatory departments/enforcement agencies,” the statement said.
 
 

Explosion near police post in Patran, in…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

A loud explosion near the Badshahpur police post in Patiala district shattered windowpanes of an adjacent office. Authorities are investigating, suspecting it might be a grenade attack. Babbar Khalsa International...

Read more

'Politics no part-time job': Akhilesh Ya…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

Akhilesh Yadav criticized those treating politics as a part-time job, seemingly targeting UP CM Yogi Adityanath. Adityanath defended his commitment, emphasizing his role as a Yogi and dismissed any rift...

Read more

Man kills friend's 7-year-old daughter i…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

A seven-year-old girl was killed by her father's friend in Swaroop Nagar, Delhi, over a dispute involving a TV remote. The accused, Ranjeet Singh, allegedly struck the child multiple times...

Read more

'Court complaints not delivered to any o…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

The US court dismissed Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's claim that court documents were properly served to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during a February visit. Judge Katherine Polk Failla...

Read more

'Deadly and dangerous designs of AAP': S…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the AAP government in Punjab of targeting Bikram Singh Majithia by withdrawing his Z+ security cover. Badal linked this to a broader...

Read more

Commerce ministry 'working on different …

01-04-2025

Sample Image

The commerce ministry is preparing for various scenarios as US tariffs on Indian exports loom, potentially impacting key sectors like chemicals, textiles, and electronics. The ministry is assessing the economic...

Read more

Home ministry extends validity of FCRA r…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

The Indian home ministry extended the validity of FCRA registration certificates for NGOs by six months. This applies to licenses expiring between April 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025, contingent...

Read more

Why BJP pitch for Waqf reforms may find …

01-04-2025

Sample Image

The Waqf Amendment Bill is poised to get Parliament's approval with BJP garnering support from key allies, despite opposition from the INDIA bloc. The bill aims to aid impoverished Muslims...

Read more

EC holds 4,719 meetings to address poll …

01-04-2025

Sample Image

Over the last 25 days, 4,719 meetings with over 28,000 political party representatives were held nationwide by EROs, DEOs, and CEOs to address issues related to the conduct of polls...

Read more

SC on NGO's opposition to development pr…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

The Supreme Court has dismissed an NGO's plea against a renewable energy project at Jayakwadi Dam, highlighting the necessity for progress despite resistance. The court noted the NGO's actions might...

Read more

Waqf Amendment Bill: How numbers in Parl…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

The Lok Sabha is set to debate the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, with the BJP-led NDA pushing for its passage amid strong opposition objections. Key NDA allies, initially against the...

Read more

RSS won’t block volunteers in Varanasi, …

01-04-2025

Sample Image

RSS will allow volunteers to work on the Kashi Vishwanath and Srikrishna Janmabhoomi temples but warns against uncovering temples beneath mosques. Hosabale highlights that focusing on these past issues could...

Read more

Centre to table Waqf Amendment Bill tomo…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

The BJP government plans to present the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which the INDIA bloc and other opposition parties unanimously oppose. The bill is criticized for violating...

Read more

Mahadev betting app case: Former Chhatti…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has been named as an accused in a new FIR by the CBI in the Mahadev betting app case. Baghel had earlier accused PM Modi...

Read more

Fadnavis puts up 'let's see tomorrow' ch…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis questioned Uddhav Thackeray's stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to be introduced in Lok Sabha. The bill faces opposition from Congress-led INDIA bloc and Muslim...

Read more

UP CM Yogi Adityanath meets Nepal’s amba…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar Sharma, met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to discuss bilateral relations amidst growing unrest in Nepal over demands to reinstate the monarchy. The meeting...

Read more

'Over 1 lakh vehicles that exceeded poll…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

BJP minister Majinder Singh Sirsa accused AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal of corruption, attributing Delhi's poor air quality to mismanagement and fraudulent activities. A CAG report revealed mismanagement of DTC buses...

Read more

'He has nothing to say except lies, juml…

01-04-2025

Sample Image

Tejashwi Yadav accuses BJP of manipulating Bihar election timings, claiming the Election Commission acts on BJP's signals. He criticizes Amit Shah for misleading voters with falsehoods and not addressing governance...

Read more

Headlines

Live Cricket:

Priyanka Gandhi:

YouTubeBox _A

NRI News:

Currency Rates

YouTubeBox _K

World COVID-19

Poll:

Who will win 2024 General Election in India?