Nagpur: Serious allegations of electoral malpractice, deliberate misconduct, and a “pre-planned criminal conspiracy” have surfaced in the District Bar Association elections held on April 24, 2026, in Nagpur. Advocate Tarun C. Parmar, a 60-year-old lawyer and presidential candidate, has lodged a formal complaint at Sadar Police Station Nagpur, demanding registration of an FIR and a high-level probe into the conduct of the polls.
In his complaint, Parmar has accused Chief Election Officer K.B. Ambilwade and others of willfully violating their statutory duties to allegedly favour certain candidates. He claimed that despite prior warnings about possible irregularities, no preventive steps were taken, allowing the situation to spiral out of control.
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Apr 25 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
Parmar stated that he had submitted a written complaint a day before polling, flagging concerns such as lack of CCTV surveillance and potential malpractice. However, he alleged that authorities failed to act, and his apprehensions were “proven true on polling day.”
According to the complaint, blatant canvassing by candidates and their supporters was witnessed near the polling area, even up to the second-floor staircase, in violation of election norms. When Parmar raised objections, he alleged that the election officer dismissed his concerns with an indifferent response.
The situation reportedly escalated around 4 pm, when large groups of supporters gathered near the polling centre, leading to chaos, loud sloganeering, and even alleged use of religious slogans. Parmar has termed this as a deliberate attempt to communalise the atmosphere and exert undue influence on voters.
“This was not mere disorder, it was a calculated attempt to intimidate voters and manipulate the election outcome,” the complaint states.
The complaint highlights multiple procedural violations, including:
• Distribution of ballot papers without serial numbers in at least one polling room
• Use of non-indelible ink, raising the possibility of duplicate voting
• Positioning of officials in a way that ballot boxes remained outside CCTV coverage
• Discrepancies in voter lists, with final figures not matching those used during polling
Parmar has also questioned the sudden spike in voter turnout, from around 50% at 4 pm to a reported 84% by the end of polling, calling it “highly suspicious.”
Adding to the concerns, the complainant alleged that the final voting percentage was withheld for nearly 30–40 minutes after polling ended. He has also expressed apprehension that crucial CCTV footage could be tampered with or destroyed if not secured immediately.
Demand for FIR and independent probe
Parmar has urged police to:
• Register an FIR against the election officer and other accused
• Seize CCTV footage and all election-related material
• Initiate a criminal investigation into alleged offences including conspiracy, fraud, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence
• Assign the probe to a senior officer to ensure impartiality
He further pointed out that similar complaints were raised in previous elections (2018 and 2022), but no effective action was taken, allowing such alleged practices to continue unchecked.
The complaint concludes that the cumulative effect of these incidents has severely compromised the fairness, transparency, and credibility of the election process. If proven, the allegations could trigger serious legal consequences and raise larger questions about election governance within professional bodies.
As of now, police have yet to confirm whether an FIR has been registered.
