Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district have initiated criminal proceedings against 48 individuals for allegedly securing voter identity cards through fraudulent means. The case, which highlights concerns over electoral roll integrity, was registered at the Asmoli police station based on a formal complaint.
Complaint Triggers Electoral Roll Scrutiny
The matter first came to the fore when District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya visited Bilalpat village to review the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. During this visit, he received direct complaints from local residents Mohammad Qamar and Mohammad Farooq. They alleged that several fake voters had been illegally included in the rolls by submitting forged identification documents.
Official Inquiry Uncovers Widespread Forgery
Acting on these allegations, the District Magistrate constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the claims. The committee's findings were stark. Officials confirmed that 48 individuals, all residents of Bilalpat village, had allegedly obtained their voter ID cards by submitting counterfeit documents. The forged papers reportedly included fake Aadhaar cards.
Based on the conclusive inquiry report, DM Rajender Pensiya directed the local police to register a criminal case. The formal complaint was filed by the village lekhpal, Gunnu Babu, leading to the registration of the First Information Report (FIR).
Legal Charges Under New and Existing Laws
The accused have been booked under multiple stringent sections of the law, reflecting the seriousness of the offence. The charges include:
- Sections 318(4) for cheating
- 336(2) for forgery
- 338 for forgery of valuable security
- 340(2) for using forged documents as genuine under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
In addition to these, the police have also invoked Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, which deals specifically with electoral offences. The simultaneous use of the new BNS and the established election law underscores a focused legal approach to the case.
Police officials stated that a further investigation is currently underway to uncover the full extent of the fraud and identify any potential accomplices or networks involved in the creation and submission of the forged documents.
