Bengaluru. A case of alleged manipulation of the electoral roll has come to light in Karnataka’s Jayanagar Assembly constituency, where police have registered a case against two Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and others for allegedly submitting fake Form-7 applications seeking deletion of the names of 5,698 voters. The complaint alleges that the applications falsely stated that the voters had permanently moved out of the constituency.
The FIR was registered on Monday night following a complaint by Karnataka Mahila Congress president and former Jayanagar MLA Sowmya Reddy. She alleged that the two named BLAs, Ramakrishna and Yogesh, were associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Police have initiated an investigation based on the complaint.
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According to the complaint, a large number of Form-7 applications were submitted to Booth Level Officers during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Form-7 is used to raise an objection to the inclusion of a name in the electoral roll or to request deletion of a voter’s name. It has been alleged that the applications contained false information claiming that 5,698 voters had permanently left the Jayanagar Assembly constituency.
Reddy alleged that an examination of the matter raised several questions regarding the manner in which the applications were submitted and the information recorded in them. According to the FIR, she alleged that Ramakrishna, Yogesh and others deliberately entered incorrect information in Form-7 applications. The complaint further alleges that the process was used in an attempt to affect voters belonging to minority communities and other voters considered politically unfavourable to the BJP or its allies.
The complaint also alleges misuse of personal information belonging to voters. According to the allegations, the names and voter identification details of C. Ramesh and his wife Roopa were allegedly used without their knowledge. It is alleged that Form-7 applications were submitted to the Booth Level Officer using their details.
During the inquiry, some Form-7 applications were also allegedly found to contain forged signatures. These applications were reportedly submitted to Booth Level Officer Lokesh. Police are now investigating who prepared the applications, how the voter identification details used in them were obtained and at what stage the alleged forged signatures were used.
Jayanagar police have registered a case against Ramakrishna, Yogesh and others under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, providing false information to a public servant with the intention of causing injury to another person, cheating by personation, forgery and using forged documents or electronic records as genuine. Provisions relating to offences committed with common intention have also been invoked.
Police said the investigation is underway. Investigators are examining the authenticity of the Form-7 applications, the use of voter identification details, the alleged forged signatures and the role of individuals who submitted the applications. Investigators will also determine how the applications linked to 5,698 voters were prepared and whether there was a coordinated attempt to influence the electoral roll.
The case comes at a time when political parties are engaged in allegations and counter-allegations over the electoral roll revision process. Allegations involving the deletion of a large number of voter names have raised questions about transparency in the electoral process and the accuracy of voter lists.
However, the allegations remain subject to investigation. The police inquiry will determine whether the applications were actually fabricated, whether voter information was misused and whether the accused played a deliberate role in attempting to remove the names of eligible voters from the electoral roll.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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