Karnataka CEO ordered probe into Rahul Gandhi's election fraud charges: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Aug 8 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the state Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar has ordered an investigation into Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of election fraud.
CEO Anbukumar asked Shivakumar to submit documents to support his claims with a declaration or oath as per the rule.
Speaking to reporters after a Congress delegation led by him submitted a memorandum to Anbukumar, Shivakumar said he was informed that they (CEO’s office) have started their investigation. "I am glad to know this."
Shivakumar, who is also Congress state president, said he would visit the CEO’s office again to obtain the documents and evidence.
“In the first phase, we have asked him to provide information to go into the details of every assembly segment, where such incidents have occurred,” the Deputy CM said.
Asked about the BJP’s counter-allegations, Shivakumar said he was not worried about the saffron party.
"Let them (BJP leaders) say whatever they want. We are asking a court, a judge, a commission with autonomous power. We have requested them (Election Commission) to take action because it is the Election Commission’s responsibility to prepare the electoral roll, hold elections and immediately set right things.”
Shivakumar submitted a memorandum to CEO Anbukumar after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged large scale election fraud in Mahadevapura constituency during the Lok Sabha election.
Regarding former Mahadevapura MLA Aravind Limbavali’s statement that there were bogus voters in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assembly constituency Varuna and Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan’s constituency Chamarajpet in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the ECI should investigate it.
“Even if there are such issues in my constituency (Kanakapura) I will not mind. Action has to be taken against those who engaged in fraud and are guilty of misuse,” the DCM said.
In a letter to Shivakumar, the CEO said, “With respect to your representation dated 05.08.2025 submitted on 08.08.2025, you have not submitted any documents in support of the references made in the representation.”
“You are hereby kindly requested to submit the documents related to your complaint along with the Declaration/Oath as per Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, so as to act upon the complaint,” the official added.
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Guv Gehlot wants hate speech and hate crimes bill shelved, says Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday alleged that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has referred the Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill to the President Droupadi Murmu to dump it in cold storage.
According to the Bill, any expression which is made, published or circulated in words, either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against person alive or dead, class or group of persons or community, to meet any prejudicial interest, is hate speech.
The bill seeks at least seven years jail term and a maximum penalty of Rs one lakh.
The bill was passed by both the Houses during the winter session in Belagavi and was sent to Gehlot towards the end of December 2025.
Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said the Governor has questioned 28 points in bill and has referred it to the President.
"If the President sends back to us with her observations, then we will do something and send it again (for gubernatorial assent)," he said.
The minister explained that the bill was brought consciously and not just like that.
"We have freedom of speech, but that does not mean that one can say anything. We have to see how it impacts our society. Hence, the bill was introduced," he sought to know.
According to him, there were instances of hate speech, which made the government think of bringing a law.
Targeting the BJP, he said, "If you (BJP) still say that this is not proper, then what are your motives? Should it mean that anyone can abuse anyone? Should we allow any disturbance in society?"
He alleged that the Governor wants this bill is never implemented.
"In my opinion, the Governor has intentionally referred it to the President, so that it does not come into effect. He wants it to be shelved forever," Parameshwara said.
When reporters asked him that the same is happening in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he said, "Let's see what happens in the coming days. I think things will improve."
