A central poll observer P L Darbar, an IAS officer from Gujarat, was withdrawn from duty in Kerala by the Election Commission on Saturday after he “forced” a punishment on local Officer K Soopy to do half-squat ten times over heated arguments on sealing an EVM on Friday.

Darbar was observer for two assembly segments in Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency. The Election Commission had received a report from CEO of Kerala that Darbar meted out uncalled for punishment to K Soopy. The punishment event had been captured in video by the official election commission video camera person.

The Election Commission has asked the government of Gujarat to take disciplinary action against Darbar.