Nagpur MLC poll: Head constable suspended after CCTV cameras at counting centre go off

Nagpur, October 29: A head constable deployed for security at the counting centre and strong room for the Nagpur graduates' constituency election has been suspended. The matter concerns the CCTV cameras losing their connection. The incident is said to have taken place around 11 pm on October 26. Election officials and the Nagpur city police investigated the matter.

The suspended policeman has been identified as Head Constable Wankhede. He is attached to police headquarters and had been given charge of security arrangements at the counting centre.

According to police, Wankhede was feeling tired during duty on the night of October 26 and wanted to rest. A bright halogen light was installed near the centre's entrance, and its glare was falling on his face.

It is said that in trying to switch off this light, he pulled out a connection pin of the power supply. This caused the CCTV cameras to stop working. The cameras remained off for about 20 minutes.

The cameras being off came to light when a candidate raised an objection before election officials. The officials then looked into the matter and examined footage from other cameras on the premises. The footage is said to show Head Constable Wankhede pulling out the connection pin.

Election officials and the police conducted separate inquiries into the incident. The reports of both inquiries have been submitted to the concerned officials.

On the basis of the inquiry report, Police Commissioner Dr Vishwas Nangare Patil ordered the suspension of Head Constable Wankhede. The action was thus taken on the Police Commissioner's orders.

CCTV surveillance at sensitive places such as counting centres and strong rooms is considered important for the transparency and security of the election process. The cameras going off during counting therefore raises questions about the security arrangements.