Sat Sep 06 15:38:47 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
An investigation into a large-scale attempt to fraudulently delete nearly 6,000 voter names in the Aland Assembly constituency of Karnataka during the lead-up to the 2023 elections has stalled. The attempt involved forging “Form 7” applications for voter deletion through the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) online portals. Despite an FIR and a CID investigation, progress has been blocked by the ECI’s failure to provide crucial IP address data requested by investigators. The fraudulent applications were detected when a local leader noticed discrepancies and alerted authorities. While the deletions were ultimately prevented, concerns remain about the security of the ECI’s online voting systems and the potential for manipulation, especially given the close margins in past elections. Affected voters and political leaders are calling on the ECI to fully cooperate with the investigation and unmask the perpetrators.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka Voter Fraud Probe Stalled as Election Commission Withholds Key Data**
**Bengaluru, September 6, 2025** – An investigation into a systematic attempt to delete nearly 6,000 voters from the electoral rolls in Karnataka’s Aland Assembly constituency has reached a standstill, with investigators claiming the Election Commission of India (ECI) is withholding crucial data needed to identify the perpetrators.
The case, which surfaced ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, involves the fraudulent submission of “Form 7” applications to remove voters, primarily through the ECI’s online platforms. The attempt was discovered when a local Congress leader, B.R. Patil, noticed suspicious activity and alerted authorities. An on-ground verification revealed that 5,994 applications were fraudulent, with the targeted voters unaware of the deletion attempts.
An FIR was filed, and the case was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Karnataka Police. However, the CID’s investigation has been stymied by the ECI’s alleged failure to provide “Destination IP” and “Destination Port” data, which are essential for tracing the origin of the fraudulent applications.
“Without this data, it is extremely difficult to track the devices used to make these forged applications,” said a source within the CID. “The perpetrators are hiding behind layers of obfuscation, and this information is critical to unmasking them.”
The fraudulent applications raise serious questions about the security and authentication protocols of the ECI’s online voting systems. The CID has requested information from the ECI regarding OTP and multi-factor authentication used on these apps but has yet to receive a response, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities.
While the fraudulent voter deletions were ultimately prevented, allowing the targeted individuals to vote in the 2023 election, the incident has fueled concerns about potential manipulation and the integrity of the electoral process.
B.R. Patil, who eventually won the 2023 Aland Assembly seat, has called on the ECI to fully cooperate with the investigation. “It is a matter of concern that the probe has hit a roadblock over the EC not sharing technical data with the investigators,” he said. “The EC must help unmask the people behind the conspiracy. It is key to save democracy.”
The ECI has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ongoing investigation and the allegations of data withholding. The lack of transparency is raising concerns about the ECI’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
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