Police not to register case against deputy tehsildar who criticised CEC during LS election

Kollam: The Kerala police have declined State Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul's request to file a case against a deputy tehsildar who criticized him and the election process on social media. In a setback for the CEO, a report from the Idukki police to the district collector, citing legal constraints on proceeding under the IT Act, has been leaked.

This incident involves P Simi, the Nedumkandam deputy tehsildar and the official in charge of the election in the Udumbanchola assembly constituency. Simi posted a Facebook status criticising the CEC and the election process. The report, submitted by the district police chief to the district collector on June 25, states that the charges against Simi cannot be substantiated under the IT Act.

Previously, the Kerala Administrative Tribunal had canceled Simi's suspension related to this incident. Simi had criticised Sanjay Kaul's comments, in which Kaul blamed the lack of experience among officials for the delays in polling at many booths across the state during the Lok Sabha election. In a satirical Facebook post, Simi highlighted the faults of higher officials, including the CEC.

Following a complaint from the CEC, Simi was suspended from service after the election results were announced. On the same day, the CEC sent a letter to the district collector requesting that a case be filed against Simi. The CEC claimed that Simi had ridiculed the CEC, IAS officers, and the electoral process.

However, the police report indicated that they were unable to register an FIR regarding this incident.