BJP Meets Karnataka DGP Over FIRs Against Workers on Form 7 Objections
A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation led by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra met the Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police in Bengaluru on October 3, urging that FIRs registered against party workers over Form 7 electoral roll objections be handled strictly according to the law. The delegation also included Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok and Leader of Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
In a formal memorandum submitted to the state police chief, the leaders alleged that criminal cases were being registered against BJP workers and political activists for submitting Form 7 objections during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. They claimed that the state police machinery was acting under political pressure to target party members.
The delegation emphasised that Form 7 is a statutory mechanism provided by the Election Commission of India that permits electors to object to the inclusion of names or seek the deletion of existing entries. The BJP argued that the mere submission of multiple or bulk Form 7 applications cannot, by itself, be treated as a criminal offence.
The memorandum highlighted FIRs registered in Bhalki in Bidar district, Belagavi, and Narasimharaja in Mysuru, which invoke provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The BJP maintained that criminal liability can only be established on the basis of evidence showing individual involvement, such as an applicant knowingly providing false information or submitting forged documents.
Citing the Special Intensive Revision guidelines and the Manual on Electoral Rolls, 2023, the party pointed out that election rules prescribe no upper limit on the number of Form 7 applications that can be submitted. The leaders noted that all such submissions are already subject to official verification by election authorities.
The delegation also voiced concern regarding the circulation of Form 7 applications on social media platforms. They stated that documents containing applicants' personal names, mobile numbers, and signatures had appeared online, and called for an inquiry into the source of the disclosure.
Urging the police chief to ensure that department actions remain politically neutral and that due process is followed, the leaders cautioned against partisan enforcement. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Ashok warned, “If police officers misuse their power, they will have to regret it later. An NDA government is going to come to power in the state. Then we will settle accounts with the police officers.”
