26 Hindu Voters' Names Deleted From Voter List In Bareilly, BLO Suspended

New Delhi: Another case of deletion of names from the voter list has come to light in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. While questions were raised about the removal of Muslim voters from the list, an investigation into a complaint regarding the deletion of 26 Hindu voters from the Mohammadpur Gram Panchayat in the Shergarh block of the district has revealed significant irregularities. These names have been removed from the Gram Panchayat's voter list.

The Booth Level Officer (BLO) has been suspended after a preliminary investigation found the allegations to be true. It is alleged that the BLO, in collusion with the former village head, had removed the names of several members of Hindu families from the voter list. Following the incident, discussions have begun in the village.

The matter pertains to Mohammadpur Gram Panchayat in the Shergarh block of Bareilly. Rahul Gangwar, the village head, filed a complaint on the IGRs portal. He alleged that Nafees Mohammad Khan, an assistant teacher who was acting as the village's BLO, had the names of 26 Hindus removed from the voter list for the Panchayat elections due to communal hatred.

The villagers lodged their complaint by submitting an affidavit

Following the village head's complaint, several other villagers also spoke out. Several villagers, including Ved Prakash, Hemkali, Lalita Devi, Rakesh, and Dhakan Lal, submitted affidavits complaining about their names being removed from the voter list. The complaint alleged that the BLO had taken money from former village head Rehan Khan and removed the names of Hindu voters from the list.

Given the seriousness of the matter, officials formed a three-member inquiry committee. The committee investigated the entire matter based on complaints and available documents. During the investigation, BLO Nafees Mohammad Khan was unable to provide any concrete evidence regarding the deletion of 26 voters' names. Consequently, the inquiry committee found him prima facie guilty of wrongful deletion.

BSA suspended him, sought report in 15 days

After receiving the investigation report, BSA Dr. Vinita suspended assistant teacher Nafees Mohammad Khan. Following his suspension, he has been attached to the Composite School in Sahasa, Mirganj Block. Meanwhile, Fatehganj West Block Education Officer Bhanu Shankar Gangwar has been appointed as the investigating officer to further investigate the matter. He has been instructed to prepare a charge sheet and submit the investigation report within 15 days after the BSA's approval.

What did the DM say?

Regarding the controversy surrounding the deletion of voter names, Bijnor District Magistrate Avinash Singh stated that the village head of Mohammadpur Gram Panchayat in the Shergarh block had complained that the BLO posted there, Nafees Mohammad Khan, had deleted the names of 26 Hindu voters from the voter list. Villagers also submitted affidavits and filed complaints in this matter. The complaint was investigated by the SDM and Block Development Officer. Upon finding the allegations true, BLO Nafees Mohammad Khan, an assistant teacher, was found guilty at first sight and suspended.

DM Avinash stated that the suspended BLO has been attached to the Shahsa Composite School in the Mirganj block. Block Education Officer Bhanu Shankar Gangwar has been appointed as the investigating officer for the departmental inquiry into the matter. He has been given 15 days to complete the investigation. A separate committee has also been formed to investigate other allegations. Aniwash Singh says that the investigation will determine whether the voter's names were deleted intentionally or by mistake. If such a serious mistake is confirmed, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned BLO.