MUMBAI, September 3: Shocked over the ransacking of the Industrial Development Bank of India's (IDBI) guesthouse, Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill has sought a written explanation within the next 48 hours from the three central observers for the North-Central parliamentary constituency.``Gill was shocked over the incident. Besides seeking an explanation, he has asked the state's chief electoral officer D K Sankaran to personally supervise and monitor activities of central observers deputed in the state,'' a senior government official said.
The Election Commission (EC) also asked Sankaran to immediately submit a status report on allegations against the observers. ``Mumbai collector Debashish Chakravarty has submitted his report to Sankaran. Contents of the report have been orally submitted to EC. A comprehensive report will be submitted to Gill tomorrow,'' the official said.
Though both Sankaran and Chakravarty were not available for comment, the collector's report confirmed one of the rooms in theIDBI guesthouse was greatly damaged since the room's occupant did not close the tap. Hence the room was filled with water, causing damage to the upholstery and carpet.
The three central observers had been allotted three rooms at the IDBI guesthouse. ``As of now, we do not know to whom the room found damaged was allotted. IDBI would have to confirm that,'' the official said. After IDBI informally brought the damage to Chakravarty's notice, he had deputed a section of election branch officials to ascertain the damage.
Chief secretary Arun Bongirwar said following the EC directives, the state would submit a report today or tomorrow. The EC has asked Sankaran to accommodate the observers in government guesthouses wherever possible.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.