Notice issued to ex-sarpanch over alleged distribution of blue cards

Bharat Khanna

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 11

The Rampura Phul Returning Officer (RO) today issued a notice to a former sarpanch of Hakamsingh Wala village for allegedly distributing the blue cards among the voters. The notice was issued after a complaint was filed by AAP leaders and workers.

Narinder Singh Dhaliwal, RO, said a notice had also been issued to the depot holder in this regard. The RO said the authorities concerned were investigating the issue. A number of complaints have been filed by workers of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding violation of the model code of conduct.

The RO of Rampura Phul received 11 complaints related to violation of the poll code since the implementation of the mode code of conduct. Of 11 complaints, the RO has issued notices on four plaints.

Earlier on January 9, a notice was issued to Panthers Club, headed by Subhash Mangla, over alleged bid to distribute sports kits on the complaint filed by workers of the Congress and AAP.

The Bathinda police and the Excise Department seized sports kits and liquor bottles from a truck parked outside the club in the Rampura Phul Assembly constituency on January 8. The club was opened by Sikander Singh Maluka.

A case under various sections of the Excise Act was registered against the accused while now the police have registered a case under section 171 of the IPC against Subhash Mangla at the City police station Rampura.

Narinder Dhaliwal said, “We have received a number of complaints and a few of them are vague, but we are conducting complete investigation. We have received 11 complaints so far and of which, notices have been issued on four complaints. We have registered FIRs in two cases.”

He confirmed that a notice had been issued to the depot holder and a former sarpanch Hakamsing Wala village for allegedly violating code of conduct.

“Our team reached the spot and so far we have not found anything in our preliminary investigation. In other cases, notices were served on violators after receiving complaints regarding the poll code violation.”