Karnataka Forms SIT to Probe Unlawful Deletion Requests from Voters List

Strategic Insights -

The Karnataka government has established a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the removal of 5,994 names from the voters list in the Aland assembly constituency in Kalaburagi district. The deletions were made in response to a large number of Form 7 applications filed between February 2022 and February 2023, with only 24 of the requests found to be legitimate. An official complaint was filed with the Aland police, alleging that the requests were made without the knowledge of the voters concerned and from various mobile numbers and locations.

Key Takeaways:

  • A special investigation team (SIT) consisting of three IPS officers has been formed to probe the unlawful deletion of 5,994 names from the voters list in Aland assembly constituency.
  • 6,018 Form 7 applications were filed between February 2022 and February 2023 requesting the deletion of names from the voters' list of the Aland constituency.
  • Investigations revealed that only 24 of the applications were genuine, while the remaining 5,994 were found to be fraudulent.
  • Local Congress leader BR Patil had complained to the election authorities about the requests, which were made without the knowledge of the voters concerned and from various mobile numbers and locations.
  • The CID began investigations into stolen voter details, fake logins, and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka that were used to impersonate "applicants."
  • Siddaramaiah had alleged that the ECI refused to share data with the Karnataka CID, which repeatedly asked for technical details to identify the people behind the operation.
  • The FIR registered in Aland will be probed by the SIT headed by Additional DGP (CID) BK Singh, and SPs Saidulu Adavath and Shubanwita.

Statistics:

  • 5,994: The number of names falsely deleted from the voters list in Aland assembly constituency.
  • 24: The number of legitimate Form 7 applications filed requesting the deletion of names from the voters' list of the Aland constituency.
  • 6,018: The total number of Form 7 applications filed between February 2022 and February 2023.
  • 2 years: The time period between February 2022 and February 2023 during which the Form 7 applications were filed.
  • 3: The number of IPS officers serving on the SIT to probe the issue.

Sources:

  • Our Political Bureau Bengaluru
  • [Local news source]: "Aland police registers FIR over fraudulent deletion of names from voters list"
  • [Indian National Congress source]: Siddaramaiah's statement on ECI refusal to share data with Karnataka CID.