Kirana shop owners face many poll cases

Hyderabad: Investigation officers (IOs), who registered cases of model code of conduct (MCC) and cognizable offences during the Lok Sabha election campaign, have initiated a probe and would file charge sheets before the courts for further legal action.

A total of 8,600 cases were registered across the state for violating the MCC, which involved several political leaders. A majority of these cases were filed under the Telangana State Excise Act, MCC among others.

According to police officials, a number of cases were registered against the kirana shop owners for selling liquor illegally during the Lok Sabha elections.

According to police officials, transportation of liquor has taken place in all Lok Sabha constituencies and a majority of cases are related to the Excise and Prohibition Act. The police officials asked the investigation officers to speed up the probe by verifying the details of the accused and judicial remands, bail and other legal activities in such cases and file charge sheets based on evidence in the cases.

In some cases, candidates and political leaders, including those at mandal level and village level, violated the rules of MCC by using DJs and objectionable material during the election. Freebies were also distributed to voters to lure them during the elections.

The investigation officers would record statements of complainants, and government officers, who were on duty during elections, and submit chargesheets before the courts.

"The police have to obtain proper proof and evidence from eyewitnesses and availability of video footage at the place of offences. In the majority of cases, police have seized material such as liquor bottles, freebies and objectionable election material from the political parties. Based on the evidence, we will file chargesheets by naming the accused held in respective cases," police officials said.