Police bug candidates to make polls incident-free

The Crime Branch has, in the last few days, picked up several musclemen brought in by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Several litres of illegal liquor have also been seized from across the city.

Electronic surveillance of poll candidates seems to have ensured an incident free run up to the Assembly election so far.

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The Delhi Police recently surprised a Congress candidate from South Delhi by questioning her about the alleged payment of Rs four lakh to a 'bad character' in the area. The police had suspicions that the money was exchanged at a farmhouse.

The Crime Branch has, in the last few days, picked up several musclemen brought in by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Several litres of illegal liquor have also been seized from across the city.

INLD candidates are being kept under constant surveillance. "Where they go, whom they meet and even the phone numbers they call — all such information is being scanned," said a Delhi Police official.

The South West district police have banned the entry of Haryana cops into Delhi as a lot of them are here to help INDL candidates. Any Haryana policeman found in Delhi is immediately sent back and the concerned SP informed.

"Most of these Haryana cops are here to 'protect' INDL candidates. We have decided to provide them with Delhi police security," said a district official.

Allegations have, however, surfaced that lower level cops are getting a cut of what political parties have shelled out to get 'bad characters 'on their side.

 Thus, while some goons find themselves behind bars, many others are 'untraceable'. Such allegations are, however, difficult to prove.

The police has also asked guest houses, dharamshalas and community halls to get in touch with the them if they see suspicious looking characters in their area.