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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Communal hate speech case: Bail granted to Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat
Mangaluru: RSS leader Dr. Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat has been granted bail by the Puttur Fifth Additional District and Sessions Court in a case related to alleged communal hate speech.
The case pertains to a complaint filed against Bhat for delivering a speech during a Deepotsava event that was allegedly communal, derogatory towards women, and capable of disturbing public order. The incident took place on October 22 at Uppalige in Puttur taluk during the Deepotsava and Gopuja programme, where Bhat was present.
Following the complaint filed by Eshwari Padmunja at the Puttur Rural Police Station, the police had issued a notice directing Bhat to appear for inquiry. Subsequently, Bhat filed an anticipatory bail petition before the court.
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During the hearing on October 27, the court issued an interim order restraining coercive action and adjourned the matter to October 29 for complete hearing. On October 29, the counsel representing complainant Eshwari Padmunja sought permission to argue under Sections 338 and 339 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The court adjourned the matter several times post that.
On Wednesday, the court granted bail to Prabhakar Bhat.
Advocate Mahesh Kaje represented him in the proceedings.
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