The school management has stated that while it duly informed all selected staff about the election duty, their absence was a matter of individual choice and not institutional non-compliance
The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has registered FIR with the police against the school staff. Pic/Aishwarya Iyer
Ahead of the Maharashtra local body elections, the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has registered FIR against 80 teaching and non-teaching staff members of Pawar Public School in Palava area of Dombivli (East), for allegedly remaining absent from mandatory election training for the KDMC Election 2026.
However, the school management has stated that while it duly informed all selected staff about the election duty, their absence was a matter of individual choice and not institutional non-compliance.
The FIR was registered at Bazarpeth Police Station in Kalyan West on Sunday evening under Section 223 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Civic body’s complaint
The complaint was lodged by Assistant Municipal Commissioner Sandeep Rokade, who stated that official orders appointing 80 staff members as presiding officers and polling officers were issued on January 6 under the authority of the Municipal Commissioner and Election Officer.
“Despite written orders, repeated telephonic communication, and reminders issued over a six-day period from January 6 to January 11, the appointed personnel failed to attend compulsory election training programmes organised by the civic body, adversely affecting election preparedness,” Rokade said in his police statement.
School management’s response
Responding to the allegations, Pawar Public School principal Ishita Chowdhury said the institution had received three notices from KDMC — on December 19, 2025, December 29, 2025, and January 9, 2026 — which were promptly forwarded to all 122 teaching and non-teaching staff members selected for election duty.
“The school administration did its part by informing the staff as and when notices were received. However, it was their individual decision not to attend the training,” Chowdhury said.
“I can appeal to the staff, but I cannot force them into doing something they do not want to do,” she added.
Post-FIR compliance measures
Chowdhury further stated that following the registration of the FIR, the school took immediate steps to ensure compliance.
“On Sunday, after the FIR was filed, we asked all staff to attend the training. We kept the school on a half-day on Monday, sent students home early, and allowed the staff to report for training,” she said.
According to her, around 25 staff members had attended the training even before the FIR was registered, while an additional 50 to 55 teaching and non-teaching staff attended the programme on Monday.
Staff cite health concerns and past experiences
Some staff members reportedly refused to report for election duty citing medical or health-related reasons. Others pointed to their past experiences during Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.
“The conditions were pathetic. There were no washrooms, no breaks, and duty hours stretched from eight to twelve hours,” said a teacher.
“There were pregnant women and people with health issues, but no consideration was given. That is why many of us did not want to go through the same ordeal again,” said another teacher.
Police discussions and possible withdrawal of FIR
Pawar Public School is also designated as one of the polling centres for the upcoming KDMC elections.
Meanwhile, a school administration official said discussions had been held with the police following the FIR.
“We have spoken to the police and agreed to do what is necessary. The police have assured us that they will squash the FIR once there is compliance from our end,” the official said.
KDMC issues warning
In an official statement, KDMC officials said that the services of government, semi-government and educational institution staff are requisitioned to ensure that civic polls are conducted smoothly, transparently and within the prescribed timeline.
The failure of a large number of appointed personnel to report for training was viewed as a serious lapse.
Municipal Commissioner and Election Officer Abhinav Goyal has warned that strict legal action will be taken against any personnel assigned election duty on January 15 and 16, 2026, who remain absent without valid reasons.
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