Jharkhand poll officer acts after viral BLO video, seals cyber-cafe over SIR racket
Jharkhand's Chief Electoral Officer has ordered an enquiry into a viral video that allegedly shows a BLO seeking money for SIR forms. The action came as officials in Dhanbad sealed a cyber-cafe and warned voters against using unauthorised paid channels.
Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar has ordered an enquiry into a viral video showing a Booth Level Officer (BLO) demanding "kharcha-pani" from villagers during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. As part of the action, authorities have also sealed a cyber-cafe in Dhanbad for allegedly charging people to fill up voter enumeration forms.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, India Today's sister channel, over the phone, Kumar said he had directed the Garhwa Deputy Commissioner to submit a detailed report on the video, which allegedly shows a BLO seeking money from residents while processing SIR forms.
"We have ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Garhwa to conduct a detailed enquiry into the viral video. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," Kumar said.
The enquiry follows a viral video from Garhwa district, where the BLO, identified as Jamila Bibi, demanded between Rs 50 and Rs 100 as "kharcha-pani" from villagers for providing, filling and submitting SIR forms.
Residents alleged that those unwilling to pay were intimidated.
Also speaking to Aaj Tak, Dhanbad Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Lokesh Barange confirmed that the cyber-cafe was sealed after it was allegedly found charging people to fill enumeration forms under the SIR exercise.
"We have received information that some kiosks and cyber-cafes are unauthorisedly carrying out SIR-related work. They are filling enumeration forms after collecting money from people, which is absolutely illegal," he said.
According to the SDM, officials found that some operators were charging as much as Rs 500 to complete the forms.
"This is a complete commercialisation of election work, which is illegal. The SDM has sealed the outlet. The operators are being traced and all the materials used for the activity have been seized," Barange said.
He warned that only authorised election officials, including BLOs, supervisors and designated volunteers, are permitted to assist voters with the enumeration process.
"If people need help in filling the forms or have doubts regarding the SIR exercise, they should approach the BLO, supervisor or volunteer. They should not fall prey to such fraudsters," the official said.
He also warned that voters who knowingly submit incorrect information through unauthorised channels could also face legal consequences.
"If someone's name is wrongly included or deleted because they got their forms filled through such unauthorised persons, they themselves may be held responsible. Anyone who deliberately gets their name included despite not being an eligible citizen can face action under the law," he added.
BLO DENIES ALLEGATIONS
The BLO seen in the video, Jamila Bibi, has denied the allegations, claiming she is being deliberately targeted.
She said she had already processed around 170 SIR forms and insisted that beneficiaries could verify that she had never demanded money.
According to Bibi, the accusations are part of a conspiracy to defame her.
The Election Commission has not yet commented on the authenticity of the viral video.
Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar has ordered an enquiry into a viral video showing a Booth Level Officer (BLO) demanding "kharcha-pani" from villagers during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. As part of the action, authorities have also sealed a cyber-cafe in Dhanbad for allegedly charging people to fill up voter enumeration forms.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, India Today's sister channel, over the phone, Kumar said he had directed the Garhwa Deputy Commissioner to submit a detailed report on the video, which allegedly shows a BLO seeking money from residents while processing SIR forms.
"We have ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Garhwa to conduct a detailed enquiry into the viral video. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," Kumar said.
The enquiry follows a viral video from Garhwa district, where the BLO, identified as Jamila Bibi, demanded between Rs 50 and Rs 100 as "kharcha-pani" from villagers for providing, filling and submitting SIR forms.
Residents alleged that those unwilling to pay were intimidated.
Also speaking to Aaj Tak, Dhanbad Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Lokesh Barange confirmed that the cyber-cafe was sealed after it was allegedly found charging people to fill enumeration forms under the SIR exercise.
"We have received information that some kiosks and cyber-cafes are unauthorisedly carrying out SIR-related work. They are filling enumeration forms after collecting money from people, which is absolutely illegal," he said.
According to the SDM, officials found that some operators were charging as much as Rs 500 to complete the forms.
"This is a complete commercialisation of election work, which is illegal. The SDM has sealed the outlet. The operators are being traced and all the materials used for the activity have been seized," Barange said.
He warned that only authorised election officials, including BLOs, supervisors and designated volunteers, are permitted to assist voters with the enumeration process.
"If people need help in filling the forms or have doubts regarding the SIR exercise, they should approach the BLO, supervisor or volunteer. They should not fall prey to such fraudsters," the official said.
He also warned that voters who knowingly submit incorrect information through unauthorised channels could also face legal consequences.
"If someone's name is wrongly included or deleted because they got their forms filled through such unauthorised persons, they themselves may be held responsible. Anyone who deliberately gets their name included despite not being an eligible citizen can face action under the law," he added.
BLO DENIES ALLEGATIONS
The BLO seen in the video, Jamila Bibi, has denied the allegations, claiming she is being deliberately targeted.
She said she had already processed around 170 SIR forms and insisted that beneficiaries could verify that she had never demanded money.
According to Bibi, the accusations are part of a conspiracy to defame her.
The Election Commission has not yet commented on the authenticity of the viral video.
