Vijayapura: An FIR has been registered against Vijayapura City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal over allegations that a purportedly false death certificate was submitted to remove a living voter’s name from the electoral roll during Karnataka’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The case was registered by Jalanagar police on October 8 following a complaint by Abdulrazak Moulasab Bagawan, a 50-year-old vegetable trader from Bagawan Colony in Vijayapura. Bagawan alleged that he was falsely shown as deceased in documents submitted to the Vijayapura City Corporation in an attempt to get his name deleted from the voters’ list.

According to the complaint, a purported death certificate was submitted along with a letter allegedly bearing Yatnal’s official letterhead. The documents were reportedly submitted to the corporation on September 3.

Bagawan maintained that he was alive, continued to reside in Vijayapura and remained a registered voter in the Vijayapura City Assembly constituency. He sought legal action over the alleged attempt to remove his name from the electoral roll.

The allegations are under investigation, and the registration of an FIR does not establish the guilt of the MLA.

Complaint alleges use of purported death certificate

The complaint centres on documents allegedly submitted during the revision of electoral rolls. Bagawan claimed that a death certificate identifying him as deceased was used alongside a letter purportedly issued on Yatnal’s letterhead.

The submission allegedly sought the deletion of his name from the electoral roll despite him being alive.

The incident has drawn attention to the verification of documents submitted during the SIR exercise, particularly applications seeking the removal of voters on the grounds that they have died or no longer reside at a particular address.

The authenticity and use of the documents cited in the complaint will be examined as part of the police investigation. The available reports do not establish who prepared the purported certificate or whether the alleged attempt resulted in Bagawan’s name being deleted from the final electoral roll.

Separate FIR registered against BJP corporator

The Vijayapura voter-deletion controversy has also led to a separate police case involving BJP corporator Girish Patil, who is described in reports as a supporter of Yatnal.

Gandhi Chowk police registered an FIR against Girish Patil on October 6 following a complaint by Javeed Jakirahmed Indikar, a 32-year-old businessman from Vijayapura.

Indikar alleged that an application was submitted using Form 7 to seek deletion of his name from the electoral roll on the grounds that he did not reside at his registered address. He claimed that the application was supported by fabricated documents and maintained that he was a permanent resident and eligible voter in Ward 30.

The two cases concern separate complaints involving alleged attempts to remove living voters from the electoral roll. Police are investigating the documents and the circumstances surrounding the applications.

SIR exercise under scrutiny in Karnataka

The Special Intensive Revision is an exercise to review electoral rolls and verify voter details. Form 7 is used to request the deletion of a name from the electoral roll on specified grounds, including death or other eligibility-related reasons.

The process has come under scrutiny in Karnataka after several people in Vijayapura reportedly discovered that documents had been submitted identifying them as deceased, even though they were alive.

An earlier report by The New Indian Express said eight people had raised concerns over death certificates submitted in connection with applications to remove their names. A verification of the certificates reportedly found that they had been issued by a competent authority, but some personal details did not match those of the living individuals concerned.

The distinction between a document being officially issued and its details correctly identifying a particular person is central to the allegations. Investigators will need to establish how the documents were obtained, how they were used and whether anyone knowingly supplied false information.

Political dispute over voter-list verification

The cases have emerged amid a wider political dispute over alleged irregularities in voter-list revision in Karnataka. Complaints have raised concerns about applications seeking the removal of eligible voters and the possibility of incorrect information being used during the verification process.

The controversy has also prompted calls for scrutiny of applications submitted under Form 7. However, allegations made by complainants and political representatives remain claims that must be tested through investigation and the relevant legal process.

In the case involving Bagawan, the immediate issue is whether the documents cited in his complaint were submitted as alleged and whether they were intended to remove his name from the electoral roll improperly.

The police investigation will be important in determining the origin and authenticity of the documents and whether any offence was committed.

Police investigation continues

The FIR against Yatnal marks a further development in the ongoing scrutiny of voter-deletion applications in Vijayapura.

Bagawan has alleged that he was falsely declared dead in documents submitted to seek deletion of his name, while a separate complaint against Girish Patil raises allegations concerning another living voter’s address and eligibility.

The allegations have not yet been established in court. Further investigation will determine the circumstances behind the submissions and whether criminal liability arises.

The cases have brought renewed attention to the need for accurate voter records, proper verification of supporting documents and safeguards against the wrongful removal of eligible voters.