Nagpur: In a serious development ahead of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) General Elections 2025–26, the civic administration has sought the registration of criminal cases against three government school headmasters for allegedly refusing to accept official orders related to election training and polling duties.
According to official communications sent to the Senior Police Inspector of Ambazari Police Station, the accused individuals were appointed as Polling Officers under the orders of the State Election Commission and the Municipal Commissioner-cum-Election Officer, NMC. However, when appointment and training orders dated December 28, 2025, were delivered to them at their respective addresses, they explicitly refused to accept the orders, thereby violating election-related instructions.
Action sought under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Gold Rate
31 dec 2025
Following the refusal, the NMC Election Department has requested the police to register offences under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which pertains to disobedience of lawful orders issued by a competent authority.
The officials against whom action has been sought are:
- M.A. Shaikh, Headmaster, Civil Lines, Sadar, Nagpur
- Jayashree Rajesh Salame, Headmistress, Shanti Nagar, near Indira Gandhi Statue, Nagpur
- D.G. Dharmik, Headmaster, Ishwar Nagar, Ramna Maroti Road, Nagpur
All three were appointed as polling personnel on December 21, 2025, as per election orders issued by the NMC Election Authority.
Election work disrupted
The NMC has stated that the refusal amounts to gross negligence and dereliction of duty, and that such actions are hampering the election process. “The concerned officers/employees have shown irresponsible conduct by defying the lawful orders of the competent authority, thereby creating obstacles in election-related work,” the communication stated.
To proceed with legal action, the Election Department has formally authorised Sanitation Inspectors, Omprakash Koche, Rohit Leader, and Karansing Behunia, to lodge the respective complaints at Ambazari Police Station.
Orders enclosed as evidence
Copies of the relevant orders issued by the State Election Commission, Maharashtra, and the Municipal Commissioner and Election Officer, NMC, have been enclosed with the complaints as supporting documents.
The letters were issued by the Assistant Commissioner and Assistant Election Decision Officer, Dharampeth Zone No. 2, under the authority of the Election Decision Officer.
Police sources said the matter is under consideration and further action will be taken as per legal provisions.
