Thrissur (Kerala), April 5 Police have registered a case and launched an investigation related to 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 the Olari Parthasarathy Temple and the Karthika Super Market here, the EC statement said.
The incident occurred just days before the Assembly elections in Kerala on April 9.
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, it said.
"Investigations 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," it 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.