NEW DELHI: Taking exception to the West Bengal govt’s decision to unilaterally exonerate Baruipur Purba assembly constituency (AC) assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) Tathagata Mondal and impose only a minor penalty against Moyna AC AERO Sudipta Das — despite clear instructions by the Election Commission dated August 5, 2025 to suspend and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them — the EC on Wednesday asked the state chief secretary to get the competent authority to submit to the commission, a written explanation for the “procedural lapse”.The explanation — sought by 5 pm on Jan 24 — must detail the circumstances that led to non-compliance with the Commission’s instructions, which had mandated that disciplinary authorities shall consult EC before closing or finalising any matter arising out of disciplinary proceedings initiated on the poll panel’s recommendation. “Since the disciplinary proceedings have been finalised without adherence to the prescribed procedure and without mandatory consultation with the Commission, the Commission does not accept such finalisation of disciplinary action. Accordingly, the same shall be treated as procedurally irregular and non est in the eyes of the Commission, warranting reconsideration,” EC said in its letter sent to the state chief secretary on Wednesday.As part of the explanation sought by EC, the competent authority has been asked to furnish the complete disciplinary case records, including the articles of charge, written statements of defence, inquiry reports, findings of the inquiry authority, orders of the disciplinary authority, file noting and all other relevant records forming the basis of the disciplinary action taken, in respect of all the four officials namely Tathagata Mondal, Debottam Dutta Choudhury, Biplab Sarkar and Sudipta Das.The commission had directed the state govt to suspend and initiate suitable disciplinary proceedings against the concerned EROs/AEROs and lodge of FIRs against the erring officials, including the contractual data entry operator, under section 32 o f the RP Act, 1950, read with the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Information Technology Act, 2000. Sources said they were allegedly disposing of applications for inclusion in the electoral roll without proper verification or allowing a window for claims and objections. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Makes No Sense…” Ex-US Army Officer Slams Trump Over India-US RelationsUK, EU FTAs to Unlock New Export Opportunities for Assam Tea: Himanta Sarma’Rupture In World Order’: EU Blasts Trump Over ‘Bullying’; Danish MP Fires Shock Message For US PresOperation Prahar: Punjab Police Raid Locations Linked to 60 Foreign GangstersIndia Will Surpass Japan To Become 3rd Largest Economy: Gita Gopinath At World Economic Forum 2026Democracy Took Roots In India In 600 BC, Long Before The World: CEC Gyanesh KumarExplained: Why India-EU ‘Mother Of All Deals’ Matters As Trade Talks Enter Final High Stakes PhasePakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Inaugurates Fake Pizza Hut Outlet, Trolled on Social Media’Influencers, AI And Deepfakes’: Indian Army Exposes Pakistan’s Digital War During Operation SindoorIndus Waters Flashpoint: Pakistan Cries Crisis At UN As India Hardens Terror Stance Post Pahalgam123PhotostoriesUnseen gems: Rare photos of Rajesh KhannaLaughter Chefs Season 3 to bring major changes: OG Arjun Bijlani, Ankita Lokhande–Vicky Jain return as Team Kaanta vs Churi endsJapanese Ambassador relishes biryani with bare hands: 6 times global leaders have shown love for Indian food10 Asian cities with the longest commute time to work2 Indian chicken dishes among top 17 in the worldDaily practices you can do for planetary balanceHow to make Chilli Paneer for evening snacking at homeBasant Panchami 2026 outfit ideas: Bollywood celebrities prove yellow is still the power colourHop-on, hop-off: Bengaluru welcomes double-decker buses after 26 yearsBengaluru airport rail link set to decongest city roads; K-ride gets green light123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordTravis KelceDonald Trump PlaneUdaipur Car AccidentJonathan KumingaCandace OwensDonna KelceJohn Harbaughs WifeKlay ThompsonsAshwini Vaishnaw
NEW DELHI: Taking exception to the West Bengal govt’s decision to unilaterally exonerate Baruipur Purba assembly constituency (AC) assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) Tathagata Mondal and impose only a minor penalty against Moyna AC AERO Sudipta Das — despite clear instructions by the Election Commission dated August 5, 2025 to suspend and initiate disciplinary proceedings against them — the EC on Wednesday asked the state chief secretary to get the competent authority to submit to the commission, a written explanation for the “procedural lapse”.The explanation — sought by 5 pm on Jan 24 — must detail the circumstances that led to non-compliance with the Commission’s instructions, which had mandated that disciplinary authorities shall consult EC before closing or finalising any matter arising out of disciplinary proceedings initiated on the poll panel’s recommendation. “Since the disciplinary proceedings have been finalised without adherence to the prescribed procedure and without mandatory consultation with the Commission, the Commission does not accept such finalisation of disciplinary action. Accordingly, the same shall be treated as procedurally irregular and non est in the eyes of the Commission, warranting reconsideration,” EC said in its letter sent to the state chief secretary on Wednesday.As part of the explanation sought by EC, the competent authority has been asked to furnish the complete disciplinary case records, including the articles of charge, written statements of defence, inquiry reports, findings of the inquiry authority, orders of the disciplinary authority, file noting and all other relevant records forming the basis of the disciplinary action taken, in respect of all the four officials namely Tathagata Mondal, Debottam Dutta Choudhury, Biplab Sarkar and Sudipta Das.The commission had directed the state govt to suspend and initiate suitable disciplinary proceedings against the concerned EROs/AEROs and lodge of FIRs against the erring officials, including the contractual data entry operator, under section 32 o f the RP Act, 1950, read with the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Information Technology Act, 2000. Sources said they were allegedly disposing of applications for inclusion in the electoral roll without proper verification or allowing a window for claims and objections.
