ICSSR flags CSDS over poll studies, police file FIRs against faculty member

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), seeking disclosure of funding sources for its research on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the Maharashtra Assembly polls, repoted TOI.

The council accused the institute of “deliberately… indulging in data manipulation with a deliberate and malicious action to create a narrative with intention of undermining the sanctity of the constitutional authority such as the Election Commission of India.”

The notice also raised a series of alleged irregularities at CSDS, including appointments of faculty in violation of UGC rules, non-election of the governing body chairman, opaque methods in appointing the director, and failure to submit details of FCRA funds and their utilization.


According to the report, ICSSR further highlighted financial and administrative lapses, such as un-audited accounts by CAG/AG and payment of House Rent Allowances to employees residing in government accommodations allocated to their spouses. The council warned that if CSDS fails to respond within seven days, it could take “appropriate action… including cancellation and withdrawal” of grants.

Police action adds pressure
The ICSSR notice comes alongside FIRs lodged by Nagpur and Nashik police against Sanjay Kumar, a psephologist and CSDS faculty member.

Nagpur Rural Police booked him for allegedly spreading false claims of steep voter declines — 38.45% in Ramtek and 36.82% in Deolali — via posts that have since been deleted. SP (Rural) Harssh A Poddar said the case followed a complaint by the tehsildar, prompted by a letter from the district returning officer. Kumar has been charged under Sections 175, 353(1)(b), and 212 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and is expected to be summoned shortly.

With ICSSR threatening to withdraw funding and a senior faculty member under police investigation, the controversy has intensified into a critical dispute over academic integrity, electoral research credibility, and institutional accountability. Sanjay Kumar did not respond to TOI's requests for comment.

The unfolding developments mark a rare intersection of legal, financial, and ethical scrutiny for one of India’s leading social science research institutes.