MAPUSA
Police have registered cases against former minister and Congress candidate Michael Lobo, Mapusa MLA and BJP candidate Joshua D’Souza and four other candidates in Bardez for campaigning with a large group of supporters despite Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ban on large gathering on account of Covid pandemic.
Cases have been registered against Lobo’s wife Delilah Lobo, Sudhir Kandolkar, Kedar Naik and Patrick Savio Almeida for violating the ECI order against campaigning with a large gathering.
Interestingly, two candidates from Mapusa “ BJP candidate Joshua D’Souza and Congress candidate Sudhir Kandolkar “ had shared their campaign photos with a large gathering on social media between January 16 and 19.
Taking suo moto action based on the photos, Returning Officer Sneha Gitte (IAS) issued show cause notices to both the candidates.
Both the candidates responded to the notices but the election officials were not convinced and lodged a complaint against the duo with the Mapusa Police. Mapusa Police registered cases against the duo.
Similarly, Saligao Police registered an offence against former minister and Congress candidate Michael Lobo and Congress candidate Kedar Naik on Sunday.
The cases were filed after the flying squad in-charge lodged a complaint alleging that the two leaders along with about 100 supporters had gathered near Shri Vetal Mandir Temple at Sangolda and addressed a press conference there.
Anjuna Police registered yet another offence against Congress candidate Delilah Lobo and Independent candidate Patrick Savio Almeida for violating the ECI order on January 18.
Both were campaigning in Siolim constituency with a big group of supporters following them.
The candidates have been accused of violating the 144 CrPC order issued by the District Collector along with the guidelines laid down by the ECI.
The above offenses have been registered under sections 188 and 269 of the IPC.
