Stop filing FIRs against BJP leaders; review those filed over Form 7 applications, former CM B.S. Yediyurappa urges Karnataka DG&IGP

Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra, former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa, and Leader of Opposition in Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy led a delegation that submitted a memorandum to DG&IGP M.A. Saleem against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the protest at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer regarding Form 7 irregularities, in Bengaluru on October 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J A BJP delegation led by former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa, State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok and Leader of Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy met the Director General and Inspector General of Police on October 3, urging him to ensure that FIRs registered in connection with Form 7 applications during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls be dealt with strictly according to the law.In a memorandum, the delegation alleged that criminal cases were being registered against BJP workers and political activists for submitting Form 7 objections, and that the police machinery was being subjected to political pressure.Statutory mechanismThe BJP said Form 7 is a statutory mechanism provided by the Election Commission of India for electors to object to inclusion of names or seek deletion of existing entries from electoral rolls. It argued that the mere filing of multiple or bulk Form 7 applications cannot, by itself, constitute a criminal offence.The delegation referred to FIRs reportedly registered in Bhalki in Bidar, Belagavi and Narasimharaja in Mysuru, involving provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It said any criminal liability must be established on the basis of evidence showing individual involvement, including whether an applicant knowingly furnished false information or forged documents.The BJP also cited provisions in the SIR guidelines and the Manual on Electoral Rolls, 2023, claiming that there is no prescribed limit on the number of Form 7 applications that can be submitted and that objections are subject to verification by election officials.The delegation further raised concern over the alleged circulation of Form 7 applications containing applicants’ names, mobile numbers and signatures on social media, and sought an inquiry into the source of the disclosure.The BJP urged the DGP to ensure that police action remains politically neutral and that any genuine violations are proceeded against strictly according to law and due process.Warning by Leader of OppositionSpeaking after submitting the memorandum, 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.” Published - October 03, 2026 01:55 pm IST