Kasaragod (Kerala) | Congress Lok Sabha MP Rajmohan Unnithan on Saturday termed the reported allegations of EVM hacking in Kasaragod district in connection with the recent Assembly elections a "serious criminal offence".

He said he would approach state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, seeking a comprehensive probe into the matter.

If the reported allegations of electronic voting machine hacking were true, they amounted to an attempt to subvert democracy, he said in response to a question from reporters.

Unnithan said the issue could not be treated as an internal party matter and insisted that whoever was found guilty, irrespective of their position, should be punished.

"If the reported allegations are true, it is a serious crime and a criminal offence. It is a heinous attempt to undermine the country's democracy," he said.

Unnithan urged those who had made the allegations public to lodge formal complaints with the police or other competent authorities to facilitate a proper investigation.

His remarks came against the backdrop of allegations against a Congress leader in Kasaragod district that he had collected money from some UDF candidates by claiming he had technology to thwart the BJP's alleged attempts to hack EVMs and ensure their victory in the Assembly elections.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the party would examine the matter if it received a formal complaint.

"So far, nobody has submitted a complaint to me. Let a complaint be filed. We will examine its nature and conduct an inquiry accordingly," Joseph said.