Bengaluru: The BJP in Karnataka on Friday staged a sit-in outside the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office, demanding registration of a case against Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and his Cabinet colleagues over their protest at the State Chief Electoral Officer’s office on Thursday.

Later, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka and other party leaders met Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh and submitted a memorandum seeking action against the Chief Minister and ministers.

BJP alleges violation of High Court order

Shivakumar and members of his Cabinet had staged a sit-in outside the CEO’s office on Thursday, demanding an FIR and an inquiry into the alleged misuse of Form-7 during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In its memorandum, the BJP alleged that the Chief Minister and ministers violated a Karnataka High Court order by holding the protest on the premises of the State Chief Electoral Officer’s office on October 1.

The party alleged that the protest amounted to a violation of the court’s directions and sought registration of an FIR against those involved.

The BJP also demanded their arrest, citing what it described as contempt of court.

Dispute over permission for protest

The BJP said the High Court, in a public interest litigation, had restricted sit-ins and protests at locations other than Freedom Park.

The party alleged that Shivakumar and his Cabinet colleagues held the demonstration at the Election Office without the required permission.

It questioned who had authorised the protest and whether written permission had been issued.

The BJP demanded that any such permission be made public.

“Was written permission granted for the protest? If so, a copy of the permission should be made public,” the party said in its memorandum.

It also questioned whether ordinary citizens and Opposition parties would be permitted to hold similar demonstrations on the premises of the Election Office.

BJP raises concerns over Election Commission’s autonomy

The memorandum also focused on the institutional status of the Election Commission.

The BJP said the Election Commission is a constitutionally independent institution and is not under the control of any political party or government.

According to the party, allowing the premises of an electoral institution to be used for a political demonstration raised concerns about the autonomy of the electoral system and public confidence in the election process.

The allegations are part of the BJP’s broader opposition to the protest led by Shivakumar over alleged irregularities involving Form-7 during the SIR exercise.

Party seeks CCTV footage and police report

The BJP also sought details of the action taken by police and election officials during Thursday’s protest.

Among the documents and information demanded by the party were:

  • Complete CCTV footage of the October 1 incident
  • Details of police deployment
  • The alleged permission letter for the protest
  • Related documents concerning the demonstration
  • A complete report on action taken by police and election officials

The party called for immediate action on its complaint and sought the details of the action taken in writing.

The BJP’s demand comes amid an ongoing political dispute over the electoral-roll revision exercise in Karnataka, with the Opposition party questioning alleged misuse of Form-7 and the ruling side pressing for an inquiry.