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ECI writes to Rahul Gandhi over Maharashtra poll rigging allegations, says all polls held as per law

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of “industrial-scale rigging” in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, asserting that all polls are conducted strictly in accordance with parliamentary laws and established rules.

In a pointed response, the ECI has invited the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition to discuss his concerns in person, while defending its decision to limit access to polling station CCTV footage to protect voter privacy.

On June 12, the ECI emailed Gandhi in response to an article he penned in a leading daily, detailing the decentralised nature of India’s electoral process. The poll body highlighted that Maharashtra’s elections involved over 1,00,186 Booth Level Officers, 288 Electoral Registration Officers, 139 General Observers, 41 Police Observers, 71 Expenditure Observers, and 288 Returning Officers.

Additionally, 1,08,026 Booth Level Agents, including 28,421 from the Congress, were appointed by political parties to monitor the process. “We assume any grievances would have been raised through election petitions filed in the high court by Congress candidates,” the ECI noted, urging Gandhi to share specific issues directly with the commission or meet at a mutually convenient time.

Gandhi’s allegations resurfaced on Saturday, June 21, when he posted on X, accusing the ECI of obstructing transparency: “Voter list? No machine-readable format. CCTV footage? Hidden by tweaking laws. Election videos? Now deleted in 45 days, not a year. The one meant to provide answers is erasing evidence.” His remarks targeted the ECI’s recent decision to retain video footage for only 45 days post-results, down from six months to a year for various stages like nominations, campaigning, polling, and counting.

The ECI, in a robust defence on Saturday, argued that sharing CCTV footage could compromise voter privacy by revealing who voted and who didn’t, exposing them to harassment by political parties or anti-social elements.

A senior ECI official explained, “If a party gets fewer votes at a booth, access to footage could help them identify and intimidate voters or non-voters. This seemingly ‘logical’ demand hides motives that undermine voter security.” The official stressed that the Representation of the People Act, 1950/1951, and Supreme Court directives prioritise voter privacy.

The ECI clarified that CCTV footage, an internal management tool not mandated by law, is retained for 45 days, aligning with the window for filing election petitions. If no petition is filed, the footage is destroyed to prevent misuse by non-contestants for spreading misinformation. In cases where petitions are lodged, footage is preserved and provided to courts upon request. Last December, the Centre amended Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict public access to certain electronic records, including CCTV and webcasting footage, citing risks of malicious narratives.

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DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead

A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.

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DMK leader

A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.

Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.

Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.

Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.

Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.

Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.

A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.

Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.

Police said the probe is ongoing.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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