File affidavit on plea seeking Pulivendula DSP’s removal from poll duties, HC tells SEC

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh high court on Friday directed State Election Commission (SEC) to file an affidavit, placing on record its decision on a representation seeking the removal of Pulivendula DSP Murali Naik from local body election duties and adjourned the matter to Monday.The direction came after SEC informed the court that it had examined a representation submitted by YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy and passed orders on it. Appearing for SEC, senior counsel N Ashwani Kumar submitted that a report from senior officials found no substance in the allegations levelled against the DSP and subsequently rejected the request made by Avinash Reddy.Considering the submissions, Justice Chintalapudi Purushotham Kumar directed SEC to place the details before the court through an affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on Monday.Avinash Reddy had moved the high court seeking directions to SEC, DGP and district police authorities to remove Murali Naik from election duties until the completion of municipal, MPTC and ZPTC elections. He also sought a direction to SEC to take a decision on the representation submitted by him against the officer.Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, V R Reddy Kovvuri contended that free and fair elections could not be conducted if the DSP continued in his present role. He alleged that Naik was not impartial in discharging his duties, took sides with the ruling party and foisted false cases against opposition members, adding that SEC had failed to comply with the directions issued by Supreme Court and sought the HC’s intervention.SEC, however, maintained that the allegations against the officer had been examined and that the report submitted by senior officials did not support the claims made by the petitioner.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Vijayawada | Silver Rate in Vijayawada | Bank Holidays in Vijayawada | Public Holidays in Vijayawada | Petrol Price in Vijayawada | Diesel Price in Vijayawada | CNG Price in Vijayawada | LPG Price in VijayawadaStay updated with the latest Vijayawada news. Download the TOI App.