However, the authorities have given the benefit of doubt to the party and allowed its election office to function from the shop, which falls in the commercial area of the temple committee.

Meanwhile, taking a serious view of the circulation of defamatory leaflets against the Congress candidate for Ropar, Shamsher Singh Dullo, Deputy Commissioner Kulbir Singh Sidhu -- also Returning Officer for the Ropar Lok Sabha constituency -- has asked the SSP to investigate the matter and submit a report.