AP HC orders for deposit of ward Volunteers mobile phones with election officials
A bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court heard a petition filed pertaining to the mobile devices given to the ward volunteers by the state government. The bench gave a shocking order to the government in this regard.
In the orders, the division bench issued directives that the ward volunteers should submit their mobile phones to the poll officials who were appointed by the Municipal Commissioner. However, the volunteers were permitted to use the devices under the official's supervision if it is necessary.
Following the multiple complaints of the ward volunteers that they are allegedly misusing the data of beneficiaries of various government schemes, the SEC directed the volunteers to keep their mobile phones with the collectors till the elections are held.
The Andhra Pradesh government moved the High Court challenging the orders issued by the SEC. The single-judge bench heard the petition and issued stay orders on SEC'ss orders. The SEC knocked on the doors of the division bench with an appeal.
The division bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice U Durgaprasada Rao heard the petition on Friday. The bench maintained that the SEC doesn't have any powers to take action against the ward volunteers. Advocate B Adinarayana Rao told the bench that the directives were issued following the complaints it received.
Advocate General S Sriram countered SEC's advocate's arguments saying that SEC does not have any power to take action against the ward volunteers. The bench said, the Municipal Commissioner would decide when and where the mobile phones would be deposited.
In the orders, the division bench issued directives that the ward volunteers should submit their mobile phones to the poll officials who were appointed by the Municipal Commissioner. However, the volunteers were permitted to use the devices under the official's supervision if it is necessary.
Following the multiple complaints of the ward volunteers that they are allegedly misusing the data of beneficiaries of various government schemes, the SEC directed the volunteers to keep their mobile phones with the collectors till the elections are held.
The Andhra Pradesh government moved the High Court challenging the orders issued by the SEC. The single-judge bench heard the petition and issued stay orders on SEC'ss orders. The SEC knocked on the doors of the division bench with an appeal.
The division bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice U Durgaprasada Rao heard the petition on Friday. The bench maintained that the SEC doesn't have any powers to take action against the ward volunteers. Advocate B Adinarayana Rao told the bench that the directives were issued following the complaints it received.
Advocate General S Sriram countered SEC's advocate's arguments saying that SEC does not have any power to take action against the ward volunteers. The bench said, the Municipal Commissioner would decide when and where the mobile phones would be deposited.