Vijayapura City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was taken into police custody on October 8, 2026 after a First Information Report was lodged alleging that he submitted a forged death certificate to remove a living resident from the electoral roll during Karnataka’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The complaint originated from Abdul Razak Bagawan, a 50‑year‑old vegetable vendor residing in Bagawan Colony. Bagawan approached Jalnagar police station, insisting he is alive, works in the city and remains a registered voter in the Vijayapura City Assembly constituency. He asserted that on September 3 Yatnal filed SIR Form 7 with the Vijayapura Municipal Corporation Commissioner, attaching a counterfeit death certificate to seek Bagawan’s name deletion.
Bagawan has demanded legal action against the MLA, claiming the move was a deliberate attempt to erase his voting right. The incident arrives as Karnataka authorities intensify scrutiny of Form 7 applications, which are used to delete voters on specific grounds.
Parallel grievances have surfaced. Girish Patil, a BJP corporator and known Yatnal supporter, faces a separate allegation of filing a false Form 7. Javed Indikar, 32, from Nisar Madda, reported to Gandhi Chowk police that a fabricated document was used to claim he did not reside at his address, prompting a deletion request.
In the Tikota jurisdiction, six individuals – Bhimu Golasangi, Vinayak Mamadapur, Mahesh Mukartihal, Anand Ambiger, Huchappa Ganiger and Govind Mudanur – were booked after a complaint by 68‑year‑old Hajilal Kottalagi. Kottalagi alleged that a Form 7 was filed to remove his name on the false premise that he was not living at his listed address, adding that the action targeted him because of his Muslim identity.
Collectively, these cases have reignited debate over the integrity of the SIR process and the authenticity of documents submitted for voter‑list revisions. Police investigations are now tasked with verifying the alleged forgeries and determining whether any electoral manipulation occurred.
Image: siasat.com
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf