New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) today (Apr 16, 2004) asked the Uttar Pradesh Government to register a case of bribery against senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lalji Tandon on whose birthday celebrations distribution of sarees caused stampede, in which 22 women were killed in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Lok sabha constituency Lucknow on Monday (Apr 12, 2004).

A decision in this regard was taken at a full meeting of the Election Commission in New Delhi, EC spokesman A N Jha told reporters.

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He said the Commission has also decided to issue a show cause notice to BJP for violation of model code of conduct, which will be served on the Central leadership.

Jha said the police has been asked to registered a case under section 171(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that relates to bribery during elections.

The Commission also ordered transfer of the district magistrate and the senior superintendent of police, Lucknow.

It is writing to UP Government to send a panel of names of IAS and IPS officers for their postings in Lucknow in place of the transferred officials.