The Election Commission on Wednesday asked West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty to submit a report within three days on the action taken against four state government officials of Baruipur-Purba and Moina Assembly seats accused of illegally adding names to voter lists.
In August last year, the EC had earlier recommended suspension of four officials – EROs Debottam Dutta Chowdhury and Biplab Sarkar, and Assistant EROs Tathagat Mondal and Sudipto Das – and initiation of criminal proceedings against them.
While the West Bengal government suspended the four officials only after the then chief secretary Manoj Pant was summoned by the EC in New Delhi, it did not register an FIR against them. A fifth contractual Data Entry Operator, Surojit Halder, was also suspended and removed.
In a letter to the chief secretary, EC Secretary Sujeet Kumar Misra wrote, “Since the disciplinary proceedings have been finalised without adherence to the prescribed procedure and without mandatory consultation with the Election Commission, the Commission does not accept such finalisation of disciplinary action. Accordingly, the same shall be treated as procedurally irregular and non est in the eyes of the Commission, warranting reconsideration strictly in accordance with the Commission’s instructions.”
The EC has asked the West Bengal government to send a written explanation “from the competent authority/officer responsible for the procedural lapse, clearly explaining the circumstances that led to non-compliance with the Commission’s instructions”.
“You are requested to furnish the complete disciplinary case records, including the articles of charge, written statements of defence, inquiry reports, findings of the inquiry authority, orders of the disciplinary authority, file noting and all other relevant records forming the basis of the disciplinary action taken, in respect of all four officials,” the letter added.
The EC has sought the report by 5 pm, January 24 (Saturday).
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
