A special investigation team (SIT) in Karnataka discovered partially burned electoral documents at the residence of former BJP MLA Subhash Guttedar amid allegations of voter fraud in the Aland assembly constituency. The SIT is probing claims that voters’ names were illegally removed from electoral rolls during the 2023 assembly elections.
The discovery, made at Guttedar’s Aland home, included charred remnants of what are suspected to be electoral records. Earlier, a CID-led team reportedly recovered bundles of half-burnt documents allegedly dumped into the Amarja River. Police officials, including the superintendent of police (CID) Shubhanvita and deputy superintendent Aslam Pasha, visited the site following the finding.
Guttedar denied any wrongdoing, claiming the papers were simply old documents being discarded by domestic workers during routine cleaning ahead of Diwali. He emphasized that as a former politician, it is normal to have voter lists or pamphlets at home and argued that anyone intending to destroy evidence would not do so openly at their residence.
The former MLA also criticized the sitting MLA, B.R. Patil, accusing him of making false allegations to gain favor with Congress leadership. Guttedar pointed to a lack of development in the Aland constituency and alleged that Patil’s actions were aimed at covering up administrative failures.
Despite the allegations, Guttedar expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and reaffirmed confidence that the truth would emerge. Authorities continue to examine the recovered documents to determine the extent of any electoral irregularities.
The case has drawn significant attention in Karnataka, highlighting concerns about electoral record management and accountability ahead of future elections. The SIT investigation remains ongoing, with further updates expected as officials analyze the recovered materials.
