A government school teacher in Gurgaon, who was appointed as an enumerator for the upcoming Census 2027, has landed in legal trouble after allegedly refusing to perform his assigned duties and obstructing government work. The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCM) filed a complaint, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 11 of the Census Act, 1948.
Teacher's Explanation
The teacher stated that he had informed his supervisor about his unavailability starting May 4, as his mother was scheduled to undergo eye surgery. He claimed to have received an email on May 16 confirming that his Census duties had been revoked. However, the authorities maintain that he failed to initiate the fieldwork despite repeated instructions.
Supervisor's Account
Sunita Devi, the teacher's supervisor, reported that the accused was assigned Census fieldwork under Circle 017. Despite multiple reminders, he did not commence the work, leading to the escalation of the matter. The joint commissioner-cum-nodal officer of MCM forwarded the complaint to the Kherki Daula police station through a memo on May 11, urging immediate registration of an FIR and legal action against the teacher.
Legal Implications
An MCM official explained that Section 11 of the Census Act addresses the refusal or neglect to perform duties during Census operations and the obstruction of Census work. The law prescribes punishment, including imprisonment of up to three years. The official emphasized that the alleged negligence had adversely affected Census operations in the area.
Further Action
The municipal corporation has also referred the matter to senior Census authorities for additional action. This incident highlights the legal obligations of enumerators and the consequences of non-compliance with Census duties.
