First FIR filed in Telangana over illegal Form 7 applications:BJP agent accused of filing fake forms in names of 30 people, all Muslims

Police in Chikkadpally, Hyderabad, have registered an FIR against a BJP booth-level agent (BLA) for allegedly filing fake Form 7 applications in the names of 30 Muslim individuals in the Musheerabad Assembly constituency. The action came a day before the claims and objections phase of the SIR for the voter list in the state was due to end. Voters’ names had already been printed The FIR against BJP’s S Balachander was registered on the complaint of Musheerabad Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) T Praveen Kumar Reddy. The preliminary investigation allegedly revealed that the names of the concerned voters had already been printed on the Form 7 applications submitted by him. The BJP’s opponents described this as evidence that the Form 7 applications had been prepared centrally at the BJP office. Reports have also emerged of similar forms containing pre-printed voter information being found in Hyderabad’s Bahadurpura and Goshamahal constituencies. One of the 30 people against whom Balachandar submitted Form 7 applications to have their names removed from the electoral roll is also a Congress BLA. Allegation of bringing 30 pre-printed forms According to the FIR- Officials said personal verification conducted on 1 October revealed that all 30 people named by the BLA were residents of Mushirabad in Hyderabad. The FIR states that the relevant Form 7s therefore cannot be accepted and should be rejected. A case has also been registered against Balachandar under the BNS and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Take action against those filing fake Form 7 applications On Monday, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C. Sudarshan Reddy directed the state’s district collectors and district election officers to take action against those filing fake Form 7 applications, after such cases came to his notice. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that “fake” Form 7 applications had also been filed in the Goshamahal constituency to have the names of Muslim voters removed. Owaisi said, “We urge the CEO not to spare anyone spreading hatred against Muslims.” BJP denies allegation BJP state president N Ramchandra Rao has denied any attempt by the party to remove voters and accused the Congress of misleading the public against a constitutional body such as the Election Commission. ​