Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 2: The Election Commission, which has been doing everything within its command to ensure that the coming Lok Sabha election is held in a free and fair atmosphere, has transferred 75 taluk panchayat executive officers (EO) in Karnataka. Orders of transfer were issued on Monday April 1. A good number of these transfers have happened in Mandya, where chief minister's son is in the fray.

It is gathered that the income tax department is keeping a close watch on leading businessmen who support different parties. Mandya Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer has also been transferred along with three taluk panchayat executive officers working in Mandya district.

Election commissioner Sanjiv Kumar

Closely following the action in transferring deputy commissioners of Hassan, Vijayapura and Belagavi, the election commission has transferred Mandya Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer, K Yalakki Gowda. In his place, commercial taxes additional commissioner, Dr Avinash Menon Rajendran, has been posted. These officers will go back to their respective positions once election code of conduct period comes to an end.

Case has been registered against videographers, Madhuchandra and Ramakrishna under sections 406 and 420 of Indian Penal Code for negligence in video recording of nomination process. Tahsildar had filed a complaint against them on March 28. This step gains importance in the light of allegations that Nikhil's nomination was not proper. There are rumours that deputy commissioner of Mandya district, N Manjushree, and superintendent of police, D Shivaprakash, may also be transferred out of Mandya in view of complaints made by Sumalatha against them.