Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Ballari FIR Probes Alleged Bid to Delete 7,561 Voters
Police have opened a case in Ballari about applications that could affect 7,561 people on the voter list.
A Congress booth agent says BJP booth agent Srinivas Mothkur tried to get their names removed.
Election officials had rejected his request, saying it did not include enough proof.
Mothkur told a newspaper that he was only sharing information about voters who may have moved or been absent, and denied asking for their names to be deleted.
The complaint says most of the voters were from a minority community.
These claims have not been established, and the police are investigating.
Karnataka’s top election official said bulk applications would be investigated.
The case is part of wider concern about how the voter-list revision is being carried out.
An FIR was registered against BJP booth-level agent Srinivas Mothkur, a Ballari corporator and election officials over alleged misuse of Form 7.
Congress booth-level agent Goutham alleged Mothkur sought re-verification and deletion of 7,561 voters during Karnataka’s SIR process.
Election authorities had rejected Mothkur’s request, saying his claims lacked supporting documents; rules cited in their response required checks on large batches of applications.
The complaint alleges that about 98.08% of the voters targeted belonged to a minority community; Mothkur denied seeking deletions, saying he submitted details for verification.
Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer V Anbu Kumar said officials would investigate bulk Form 7 applications and take legal action against anyone found responsible.
- Who
- The FIR names BJP booth-level agent and Ballari corporator Srinivas Mothkur and election officials; Congress booth-level agent Goutham filed the complaint.
- What
- An FIR concerns allegations that Form 7 applications were used to seek removal or re-verification of 7,561 voters; Mothkur denies seeking deletion.
- When
- The alleged requests and applications were made on September 21 and 22; the FIR was registered on Monday.
- Where
- Ballari City Assembly constituency, Karnataka.
- Why
- The complainant alleges the applications sought removal of eligible voters, many from a minority community; Mothkur says he submitted details for verification.
Complainant’s allegations
Mothkur’s account
Purpose of the applications
Complainant’s allegations
Congress booth agent Goutham alleged the applications sought to remove voters’ names, including those of minority community members.
Mothkur’s account
Mothkur told The Hindu that he shared details of voters he believed had shifted or were absent for verification, and denied seeking deletion.
Handling of the applications
Complainant’s allegations
The complaint alleges election officials acted on Mothkur’s directions and colluded with him in submitting and processing applications.
Mothkur’s account
Mothkur said he submitted information to the electoral registration officer after booth-level officers refused to accept applications; the report says authorities rejected his request, citing lack of supporting evidence.
- Voters covered by request
- 7,561
- Form involved
- Form 7, used to object to inclusion or seek deletion from electoral rolls
- Reported dates of correspondence and applications
- September 21–22
- SIR began
- June 29, 2025
- Draft electoral roll published
- August 24
- Minority-community share alleged
- About 98.08% of the 7,561 voters
- Case status
- FIR registered; investigation underway
- Wider Karnataka cases
- The report describes this as the sixth FIR concerning alleged misuse of Form 7
