Indian National Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari Charged With False US Citizenship Claim To Vote

A federal grand jury in the District of Minnesota has indicted an Indian national, Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, for allegedly making a false claim of United States citizenship to cast a ballot in the November 5, 2024, general election.

Indictment Details and Allegations

According to court documents, Chaudhari signed a voter signature certificate on or about November 5, 2024, which required him to formally swear or affirm that he was a US citizen under Minnesota law, reports the US Departmet of Justice. The federal indictment states that Chaudhari was not a US citizen at the time and knowingly provided false citizenship information to participate in the election. H-1B Visa: US Proposes Ending 60-Day Grace Period After Job Loss.

"The right to vote is a sacred privilege of American citizenship, and every lawful voter deserves an election system in which that right is protected,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department will hold accountable those who knowingly make false claims of citizenship in order to vote. The integrity of our elections depends on ensuring that only eligible citizens cast ballots and that every lawful vote is counted," Dhillon added.

Charges and Legal Penalties

Chaudhari faces a two-count federal indictment:

• One count of false information in voting, in violation of 52 U.S.C. § 21144(b) and incorporating 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f).
• One count of making a false claim of citizenship in order to register to vote or vote, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f).

If convicted, Chaudhari faces a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison on each count. Any final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after evaluating the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutory factors. Former US Army Soldier Sentenced to Life in Prison for S*xual Abuse, Including Choking and Beating 2 Minors.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations alongside the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office, with prosecution handled by Trial Attorneys Flavio Abreu and William Rubens of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. Federal authorities emphasise that an indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 02:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).