Kolkata, 21 April (H.S.) : The Election Commission has suspended three members of a flying squad deployed in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency over alleged dereliction of duty during the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.

The suspended officials have been identified as Satyaranjan Pal, Shouvik Nandi and Suranjan Das. The Commission has also ordered departmental proceedings against them.

According to officials, the suspension and any subsequent withdrawal of disciplinary action cannot be carried out without the approval of the District Election Officer (DEO) of Kolkata South.

Flying squads are tasked with patrolling their designated areas and monitoring poll-related activities. However, the three officials were allegedly found sitting at one location instead of carrying out field duties.

The Election Commission said the officials were caught during a surprise inspection conducted by Expenditure Observer D. Rajnath Kumar.

The three officials were assigned the night shift from 9 pm on Friday to 7 am on Saturday. During the inspection around 10.30 pm on Friday, the observer reportedly found them stationed near Bhabanipur police station and not performing their assigned duties.

Officials further said the squad members were unable to provide any record of work undertaken during their shift.

Taking serious note of the lapse, the Commission ordered their immediate suspension and directed that a departmental inquiry be initiated.

The concerned authorities have also been asked to submit a compliance report by 2 pm on Tuesday.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh