Karnataka: FIR Against BJP Leader Over Alleged Attempt to Delete 198 Muslim Voters

Belagavi: An FIR has been registered against Karnataka BJP leader Dr Ravi Patil and several others over an alleged attempt to have the names of 198 Muslim voters removed from the electoral roll during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.

The case was registered at Belagavi Market Police Station on September 30 following a complaint by Meerasab Sanadi, who was working as a Booth Level Agent in Ward 12 of the Belagavi North Assembly constituency.

According to the complaint, Patil, Shankar Beerappa Naik, Prashant Deepak Mundinmani and around 20 to 25 others allegedly brought Form 7 applications along with forged documents and attempted to submit them for deletion of 198 voters’ names. The complainant alleged that the applications targeted Muslim voters and included the names of him and members of his family.

Police have registered the case under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, common intention, public mischief and unlawful assembly. The allegations remain subject to investigation.

The Belagavi case is part of a wider controversy over alleged misuse of Form 7 during the SIR exercise in Karnataka. Form 7 is the prescribed mechanism through which an objection can be raised against an entry in an electoral roll or a request can be made for deletion of a name.

At least three FIRs have now been reported in Karnataka in connection with allegations of irregularities involving Form 7 applications. Cases have been registered in Belagavi, Bidar and Mysuru.

In Bidar, an FIR was registered after voter Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed alleged that 3,244 voters, including himself, were falsely shown as shifted or absent through Form 7 applications. The FIR reportedly names 32 accused persons.

In Mysuru, social worker Syed Hasarath Ulla alleged that applications were submitted claiming that he and his family members no longer lived at their registered address. A case was subsequently registered against several individuals, including people identified in reports as BJP functionaries.

Another case has been registered in Ballari over 7,561 Form 7 applications. The complaint names BJP Ballari City Corporation corporator and BLA 1 Srinivas Motkar, along with Assistant Commissioner Nandish, BLO Sumalatha, case worker Sharanabasava and others. The complainant alleged that the applications were submitted seeking deletion of thousands of names and that a large majority of the affected voters belonged to the minority community. These allegations are also under investigation.

The controversy intensified after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Congress leaders staged a protest outside the office of Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukkumar, demanding action over alleged false Form 7 applications. Following the protest, the Election Commission directed officials to verify such complaints and initiate legal action where applicants are found to have knowingly submitted false declarations.

The BJP has meanwhile objected to the registration of criminal cases against people who submitted Form 7 applications. A BJP delegation led by state president B.Y. Vijayendra, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka met Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police M.A. Saleem and sought a review of the FIRs. The party argued that submitting multiple Form 7 applications by itself should not be treated as a criminal offence and called for action based on evidence and due process.

Police and election authorities are continuing to examine the complaints and documents involved in the cases. Any criminal liability will depend on the findings of the investigations and the evidence established against the accused.