First FIR Related to Form-7

Hyderabad: A case has been filed against BJP booth-level agent (BLA) S. Balachander at the Chikkadpally police station for allegedly giving false information to poll officials to seek the deletion of voters from the electoral roll. The accused reportedly submitted 30 Form-7 applications seeking deletion of votes of a Muslim family, which includes Congress BLA Shafiuddin in Musheerabad Assembly constituency, recently. This was the first instance of bulk Form-7 applications which came to light on October 1 in Telangana.

T. Praveen Kumar Reddy, Musheerabad Assembly constituency electoral registration officer (ERO), lodged the complaint, following directions from district election officer. The case was booked under BNS Sections 217 (giving false information to a public servant) and 318 (2) (cheating) and Section 31 of the Representation of People Act (making false declarations).

The ERO, who received the field inspection report from booth level officer (BLO) and BLO supervisor, noted that Balachander had brought 30 pre-printed Form-7 applications and tried to submit them at polling station 210, on September 28, allegedly with the malafide intention of deleting voters not connected to him. “The BLO concerned and BLO supervisor collectively refused to receive the bulk forms in spite of repeated requests from the said BLA of BJP and have not given any acknowledgement in token of receipt…,” the FIR copy read.

Later, the assistant ERO and ERO verified the case on October 1, before submitting the report to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). “The act of conspiracy by BLA of BJP Balachander for involving in deletion of 30 electors is against rules and punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of People Act 1950 (sic),” Praveen Kumar’s complaint to the police stated.

In the complaint lodged with CEO Sudharshan Reddy on October 1, the Congress had demanded that a thorough and impartial investigation be taken up into the effort to get voter names deleted. While welcoming the lodging of the police complaint, party leaders have noted that it vindicated the Congress claim.

“At last, an FIR was booked against the BJP BLA. I request the police to investigate the matter fully and book the people who are behind the printing, data collection, supply of pre-printed Form-7s and other things relating to the issue. He (the BLA) is only the scapegoat, police have to book the real culprits,” said P. Rajesh Kumar, chairman of the Congress Election Commission co-ordination committee.