BJP Booth Agent Faces FIR in Hyderabad Over Attempt to Remove 30 Muslim Voters From Electoral Rolls Using Form-7

A BJP booth-level agent has been booked by Hyderabad police for allegedly attempting to get the names of 30 Muslim voters deleted from the electoral rolls in the Musheerabad Assembly constituency using pre-printed Form-7 applications. Election officials later verified that all 30 voters were residing at the addresses mentioned in the electoral records. The case was registered by Chikkadpally police on October 6 based on a complaint filed by T Praveen Kumar Reddy, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for Musheerabad constituency and deputy commissioner of GHMC Circle 41.

The accused has been identified as BJP booth-level agent S Balachander. Police have booked him and others under Sections 217 and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Decision on SIR Schedule Had Unanimous Approval, Letter to Cabinet Secy Was Not Related to Policy Matters: ECI Clarifies.

30 Pre-Printed Form-7 Applications

According to the complaint, Balachander allegedly brought 30 digitally pre-printed Form-7 applications to polling station No. 210 on September 28. The applications sought deletion of the names of voters whom he allegedly had no connection with. The Booth Level Officer (BLO) and BLO supervisor reportedly refused to accept the bulk applications. Balachander allegedly left the forms at the polling station and left the premises.

Election Officials Verify Voters

Following the submission, election officials conducted a field verification on October 1. The inquiry found that all 30 voters named in the applications were living at the addresses recorded in the electoral roll. The voters reportedly included Congress booth-level agent Shafiuddin and members of his extended family. As the voters were found to be residing at their listed addresses, the applications were not accepted for deletion.

First FIR Over Alleged Form-7 Misuse in Telangana

The case is being reported as the first police case in Telangana linked to the ongoing controversy over alleged misuse of Form-7 during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Form 7 is used to seek deletion of a name from an electoral roll or raise an objection to an existing entry. Election authorities have stressed that applications are subject to scrutiny and verification before any deletion is carried out. ECI ‘Mark VIP’ Feature in BLO App: What the Election Commission Says About Voter Tagging.

Similar pre-printed Form-7 applications have also been reported from the Bahadurpura and Goshamahal constituencies in Hyderabad, adding to concerns over the alleged submission of bulk applications.

Telangana CEO Orders Action Against False Claims

Telangana Chief Electoral Officer C Sudharshan Reddy has directed election officials to take action against anyone found, after due inquiry, to have knowingly submitted false statements or declarations in Forms 6, 6A, 7 or 8. The directive came amid allegations surrounding pre-filled Form-7 applications during the SIR exercise. The CEO has maintained that incomplete or improperly filled applications cannot automatically lead to deletion of voters' names.

BJP Rejects Allegations

The BJP has rejected allegations of a party-led drive to remove voters from electoral rolls and has called for evidence to be presented through the legal process. The development has nevertheless intensified the political dispute in Telangana over the electoral-roll revision exercise, with opposition parties seeking investigations into the source and preparation of the pre-printed forms.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 07, 2026 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).