Wednesday, April 5 2006 16:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: For the first time in the electoral history of West Bengal, the Election Commission today (Apr 05, 2006) filed a complaint with the police against senior CPI(M) leader and state Transport minister Subhas Chakraborty for allegedly making 'threatening' statements against government officials on poll duty.

"We have received a written complaint from CEO against Subhas Chakraborty and the case has been been registered," a police official at the Lake Town police station said.

The case has been registered under section 186 of IPC, he said.

Asked about the next course of action against the senior leader, state Chief Secretary A K Deb said an investigation would be conducted on the basis of the complaint.

To a question, he said the compliance report to EC would be sent by the Chief Electoral Officer.

The written complaint, filed on behalf of CEO Debasish Sen, came following an EC directive to him last night. The compliance report has to be sent by April 6.

Section 186 of IPC

Sen returned from Delhi today after attending a meeting with the EC. Section 186 of IPC deals with punishment for obstructing public servants in discharging their duty which may result upto three months of imprisonment or fine of Rs five hundred or both.

The EC also issued a notice to CPI(M) to submit an explanation on the statements made by Chakrabarty at an election meeting recently.

CPI(M) said that it has replied to the EC notice. Local TV channels repeatedly showed clippings of the election meeting addressed by Chakraborty a few days ago saying "Under what rule have all democratic rights of people been taken away? I will move the Supreme Court against Election Commission after the election."

"Government officials, who are now working for EC, used to fall at our feet and they will again fall at our feet after May 11 (last date of poll in WB). We were there, we are here and we will be there."