Thrissur (Kerala), April 5 Police have registered a case and launched an investigation in connection with the illegal distribution of household kits in parts of Thrissur city on April 4, the Election Commission said on Sunday.
The case was registered after an Election Flying Squad intercepted the unauthorized distribution of household kits near Olari Parthasarathy Temple and Karthika Super Market here, an EC statement said.
The incident occurred with just days remaining for the Assembly polls in Kerala on April 9.
UDF and LDF candidates from Thrissur, Rajan Palla and Alankode Leelakrishnan accused the BJP of being behind the kit distribution.
Palla told a TV channel here that the saffron party was allegedly distributing food kits and coupons for availing liquor from bars to sway voters and demanded a comprehensive probe into the matter.
Leelakrishnan termed the incident as "unfortunate" and said that his party CPI and the LDF will take the necessary steps, including legal measures.
"Democracy being snatched away by money power is not right. Any such attempt has to be dealt with by the Election Commission," he told a TV channel.
Meanwhile, BJP candidate Padmaja Venugopal denied any knowledge regarding the incident.
The enforcement team, operating under the supervision of Executive Magistrate Dr Bindu T N, discovered that 26 kits, each valued at approximately Rs 900 and containing various miscellaneous household items, were being distributed.
"Investigations conducted at the scene indicated that the distribution was carried out under the instructions of an individual identified as Radhakrishnan, and revealed that an additional 75 kits had already been distributed prior to the arrival of the authorities," the EC said.
The EC said that the alleged acts constitute offenses under sections 170(1)(i)(bribery in elections) and 173 (punishment for bribery) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and section 123(A)(1)(corrupt practices) of the Representation of the People Act.
It also said that due to the non-cognizable nature of the offenses, it obtained the necessary prior permission from the jurisdictional Magistrate to proceed with formal legal action.