Multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged in Karnataka against various individuals, including leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), concerning alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The complaints specifically claim that systematic attempts were made to remove the names of Muslim voters from the electoral registry through the submission of allegedly falsified Form-7 applications.
Allegations of Electoral Roll Manipulation Emerge
The controversy centers on the use of Form-7 applications, which are typically used for objections to proposed entries or for the deletion of names from the electoral roll. Complainants allege that these forms were misused to target specific communities.
Belagavi Case: 198 Voters Targeted
In Belagavi, an FIR was filed against Karnataka BJP leader Ravi Patil and others. The complaint, lodged by Meerasab Sanadi, a Booth Level Agent for Ward No. 12 in the Belagavi North Assembly constituency, states that Patil, along with Shankar Beerappa Naik, Pashant Deepak Mundinmani, and 20-25 other individuals, conspired to target Muslim voters. Sanadi alleged that 198 Muslim voters were targeted for deletion using Form-7 applications accompanied by purportedly fake documents. The complaint further detailed that the accused pressured a Booth Level Officer to sign these applications, even having another person impersonate an Electoral Registration Officer over the phone.
Bidar Case: Thousands Falsely Marked as 'Shifted/Absent'
Another significant case emerged in Bidar, where businessman Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed reported that 3,244 voters, including himself, were falsely marked as “shifted/absent” through Form-7 applications. Ahmed's complaint highlights that these applications were submitted without authenticated documents from the affected voters, and signatures were allegedly forged with the intent to remove their names from the electoral roll. Following his complaint, police registered an FIR against 32 accused persons.
Mysuru Complaint: False Address Claims
Similar allegations surfaced in Mysuru. Social worker Syed Hasarath Ulla claimed that Form-7 applications were submitted asserting that he and his family no longer resided at their registered address, despite having lived there for years. He stated that false information was entered onto these forms to delete their names. Similar applications were allegedly submitted against 28 other voters, leading to a case being registered against Harish Kumar C, Raghavendra M, Anil Thomas, and the BJP minority president, among others.
Chief Minister Demands Action Amidst Protests
These FIRs coincide with broader allegations of irregularities in the SIR process across the state. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, accompanied by Cabinet colleagues and Members of the Legislative Assembly, staged a sit-in protest outside the Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukkumar's office. The Chief Minister demanded the registration of FIRs over what he termed “electoral fraud,&rdquo underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the political tension surrounding the voter revision process.