Karnataka BJP asks police chief to review FIRs linked to electoral-roll objections

A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation has urged Karnataka’s Director General and Inspector General of Police, M.A. Saleem, to review First Information Reports linked to Form 7 applications during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The delegation, led by former chief minister B.S.

Yediyurappa, included BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, Assembly opposition leader R. Ashok and Council opposition leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.

It submitted a memorandum in Bengaluru on October 3. The BJP alleged that criminal cases were being registered against its workers and political activists for submitting Form 7 objections and claimed that police machinery was under political pressure. The party said Form 7 was a statutory mechanism allowing electors to object to an entry or seek deletion of a name from electoral rolls.

According to the memorandum, the filing of multiple or bulk applications should not by itself amount to a criminal offence. The BJP said criminal liability should depend on evidence of individual involvement, including whether an applicant knowingly supplied false information or forged documents. The party referred to cases reportedly registered in Bhalki in Bidar, Belagavi and Narasimharaja in Mysuru.

It also cited election-roll guidelines and said they did not prescribe a limit on the number of Form 7 applications, which remain subject to verification by election officials. The delegation raised a separate concern over the circulation on social media of applications containing names, mobile numbers and signatures. It sought an inquiry into how the information was disclosed.

The BJP asked the police chief to ensure political neutrality and due process. After the meeting, Ashok warned that officers who misused their powers would later face consequences, referring to the possibility of an NDA government taking office in the state.