Voter data theft: CM issues instructions for inquiry against suspended officers

BENGALURU: A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the suspension of BBMP Special Commissioner Rangappa and Bengaluru City Deputy Commissionr K Srinivas, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has instructed that departmental inquiries be constituted against the two IAS officers.

Rangappa was in charge of Chickpet and Shivajinagar constituencies while Srinivas was in charge of Mahadevapura constituency for voter roll revision. After allegations of largescale addition and deletion of voter names and theft of voter data surfaced, the ECI had recommended action against them.

The Karnataka State Election Commission office in Bengaluru.

The ECI also suspects that some of the senior officials were hand in glove with Chilume Trust and has asked for their phone records to be checked.

While more officials are likely to be suspended in the coming days, it is being speculated that a senior official, who was in regular touch with Chilume founder Ravikumar, may also be arrested.

Meanwhile, the city police are also preparing to issue notices to those involved in the survey work using the Digital Sameeksha app and paper work. Chilume Trust had enlisted hundreds of people for the door-to-door surveys.