The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday came down heavily on the police over the kidnapping of five district panchayat members during the Nainital Zila Panchayat chairperson election. Chief Justice questioned the role of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), remarking why his transfer should not be ordered. The court observed that law and order had completely failed during the election and fixed the next hearing for August 19.
The case relates to the abduction of five members near the district panchayat office when they were on their way to vote. The incident triggered chaos, with Congress leaders staging protests and rushing to the High Court. Following the intervention, the election was postponed and will now be held afresh after the State Election Commission announces a new date. District Magistrate Vandana Singh informed the court via video conferencing that she would formally send the proposal to the commission.
The clash unfolded when nearly 10–12 unidentified men, wearing raincoats, intercepted Congress-backed members. They reportedly assaulted the members, dragged them on the road for about 100 metres, and forced them into a vehicle before speeding away. Despite registering a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police have yet to trace the abducted members.
The contest for Zila Panchayat chairperson was between BJP candidate Deepa Darmwal and Congress candidate Pushpa Negi. After the abduction, Congress leaders accused the BJP and police of foul play and boycotted the election. Although voting was briefly resumed under police security, the fate of the five missing members remains unresolved, leaving the election process in limbo.
