IAS officers body slams 'personal attacks' on CEC & family by oppn

NEW DELHI: IAS Officers' Association on Friday said it "strongly deprecates the unwarranted criticism and personal attacks" against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his family members, who are also civil servants, amid allegations of 'vote theft' by certain opposition members.

In a post on X, the association said such personal attacks are unconnected with the discharge of official duties. "We stand for dignity and integrity in public service," it said.

The assertion came days after Congress neta Rahul Gandhi warned the CEC and the two election commissioners, all former IAS officers, of 'action' when INDIA bloc "forms govt in Bihar and Delhi".

"The three election commissioners... I want to tell them that it is Modi's govt right now... But a day will come when there will be an INDIA bloc govt in Bihar and Delhi. Then we will take action against... You've stolen (votes) from the whole country," Rahul had said, in Bihar's Gaya on Aug 18.

"CEC Kumar and his family members have been subject to online trolling following Rahul's warning and opposition's allegations," the officials body said.

Both his daughters and sons-in-law are serving civil servants. Kumar's younger brother is also a serving senior Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) officer.