Misleading claim about voting rights circulating ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections
New Delhi: A viral message regarding voting rights is circulating on social media ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, claiming that individuals can cast a "challenge vote" if their name is not on the voter list. The message also suggests that if someone has already cast their vote, individuals can request a "tender vote" to cast their ballot. Additionally, the message falsely states that if any polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, repolling will be conducted.
However, these claims are misleading. When a person's name is not on the voter list, they are not eligible to vote, even if they possess an Aadhar card or voter ID. The Election Commission of India issues Voter ID cards only to those whose names are included in the electoral rolls of their constituency. Therefore, simply possessing a Voter ID card does not guarantee the right to vote.
Regarding the mention of a "challenge vote" under Section 49A, this is a misrepresentation. The Handbook for Presiding Officers mentions a 'Challenged Vote', but Section 49A of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, actually pertains to the design of Electronic Voting Machines and does not relate to a 'challenge vote'.
However, the claim about requesting a "tender vote" if someone has already cast your vote is true. Rule 42 of The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, allows individuals to cast a tendered ballot paper if the Polling Officer informs them that their vote has already been cast. In such cases, the Presiding Officer may ask questions to confirm the individual's identity, and a tendered ballot paper will be provided.
Regarding the claim about repolling if a polling booth records more than 14% tender votes, this is false. Tendered votes are considered only on the direction of a High Court, as clarified by a former Director of the Election Commission of India.
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Delhi court sentences CBI joint director to 3 months' imprisonment in IRS officer assault case
New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi court has sentenced two CBI officers to three months' imprisonment for assaulting and trespassing into the residence of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer during a raid over two decades ago.
Judicial Magistrate Shashank Nandan Bhatt was hearing the arguments on the sentence against the convicted retired police officer V K Pandey and Ramneesh, who was serving as a superintendent of police when the raid was conducted in 2000.
Ramneesh is at present a joint director at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The court also fined Rs 50,000 each to both the accused.
Both were accused under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (mischief) and 448 (criminal trespass) in a complaint filed by IRS officer Ashok Kumar Aggarwal.
The case pertained to an incident on October 19, 2000, when a CBI team carried out a search and arrest operation at Aggarwal's residence in Paschim Vihar.
Aggarwal alleged that the officials forcibly entered his house in the early hours, assaulted him and violated legal procedures during the arrest.
#WATCH | Delhi | Former IRS officer assault case. | Tis Hazari Court sentenced CBI joint director Ramneesh and Retired ACP Vivek Pandey to 3 months sentence in an assault case filed by former IRS officer Ashok Agarwal. The court has granted them bail to challenge the judgment.… https://t.co/RwAxjMrWDK pic.twitter.com/2FlkG4rDs0
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2026
