Karnataka SIT finds Rs 80 paid for every fraud voter deletion application in Aland seat
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Bengaluru: The Karnataka Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged voter list irregularities in the Aland Assembly constituency has found that a data centre operator was paid Rs 80 for each fraudulent voter deletion, Indian Express reported.
According to the SIT, a total of 6,018 applications for voter name deletions were submitted between December 2022 and February 2023, amounting to an estimated Rs 4.8 lakh in payments.
The Aland case is among those cited by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his 'vote chori' allegations against the BJP.
The SIT, which took over the Aland voter deletion probe on September 26, has identified a data centre in Kalaburagi district headquarters as the location from which the applications were allegedly submitted. Officials quoted in the report said the investigation, which was first handled by local police after the deletions came to light in February 2023, and later by the CID cyber crime unit before being transferred to the SIT, has pointed to the involvement of a local resident, Mohammed Ashfaq.
Questioned in 2023, Ashfaq was let off after he claimed innocence and promised to surrender electronic devices in his possession. He moved to Dubai subsequently.
The SIT’s investigation into the voter data manipulation case has revealed that Ashfaq was allegedly in contact via internet calls with associates Md Akram, Junaid, Aslam, and Nadeem, according to analysis of seized devices and IP records. Searches at their properties last week reportedly uncovered evidence of a data centre in the Kalaburagi region used for tampering with voter lists, where each deletion was allegedly priced at Rs 80. The probe indicates that Akram and Ashfaq operated the centre, while the others worked as data entry operators, with key recoveries including a laptop used to process the applications.
Following these recoveries, the SIT on October 17 searched properties linked to BJP leader Guttedar, his sons Harshananda and Santhosh, and their chartered accountant associate Mallikarjun Mahantagol. Officers reportedly seized over seven laptops and multiple mobile phones during the raids and are now tracing the source of funds used for the alleged payouts.
The inquiry has also revealed that 75 mobile numbers, ranging from those of poultry farm workers to relatives of policemen, were allegedly used to register with the Election Commission portal to place requests for changes in voter lists of Aland.
The SIT is still investigating how the data centre operators gained access to the EC portal using fake credentials to submit voter deletion requests. According to the report, the identities used in these applications were entered without the knowledge of either the Aland-based applicants or the voters concerned.
Meanwhile, Guttedar, a four-time MLA from Aland, has denied any role in the alleged voter deletion scheme, claiming the accusations were politically motivated. He alleged that his rival, B. R. Patil, made the charges for personal and political gain, aiming to secure a ministerial position and win favour with Rahul Gandhi.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
