ECI seeks suspension of tehsildar, two others over EVM theft in Saswad

Deputy District Election Officer Minal Kalaskar said a notice has been issued to SDO Purandar in connection with the theft.

Meanwhile, the Pune Rural police have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of the EVM unit and recovered the stolen EVM from them. Police, however, said the motive behind the theft was being ascertained.

The preliminary probe by the Pune Rural police has revealed that the theft took place on the night of February 3 at the strongroom, the locked secure storage facility inside the tehsildar office in Saswad. The facility at the time had several EVM units kept in separate carrying cases. After the theft came to light, the police obtained the footage from the security cameras installed on the premises.

Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Pankaj Deshmukh said, “We have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft and have recovered from them the stolen EVM. We are investigating the motive behind the theft.”

On Tuesday, the police had said three suspects could be seen in the security camera footage. An officer said that the search for accomplices of the arrested persons was on.

The police have identified the arrested suspects as Shivaji Ramdas Bandgar (21) alias Bhaiyya and Ajinkya Raju Salunkhe (21), both from Purandar. Police sources said the two are criminals on police record and may have targeted the strongroom thinking it was housing something of value. “Because the EVMs were kept in carrying cases looking like suitcases, they might have picked up one. A thorough probe into their motive is now being conducted,” an officer said.

Officials said the building where the theft took place is old. At the time of the incident, a police guard was deployed at the premises for security. The policeman has been suspended pending an inquiry into the charges of negligence after the theft came to light.