ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
In the heart of India’s vibrant democracy, allegations of electoral malpractice have ignited a fierce political storm. Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has spearheaded accusations of widespread voter fraud in Karnataka, particularly in the Mahadevapura constituency of Bengaluru. Speaking in Parliament and through press interactions in early August 2025, Gandhi claimed “serious discrepancies” in the electoral rolls, including tens of thousands of fake and duplicate entries.
Rahul highlighted anomalies like bulk registrations at single addresses, invalid house numbers such as “0,” and even voters listed at non-existent locations. Gandhi argued these irregularities were systematic, potentially influencing close contests nationwide, and vowed to pursue the matter through parliamentary debates, street protests, and legal avenues if necessary. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has vehemently countered these claims. Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer issued a notice to Gandhi on August 10, 2025, demanding a signed declaration and documentary evidence to initiate a formal inquiry.
The ECI labeled the allegations as “misleading” without verifiable data, emphasizing that electoral rolls are publicly available for scrutiny and objections during revision periods. In Mahadevapura, local Congress workers echoed Gandhi’s assertions, pointing to properties allegedly housing dozens of fictitious voters. However, at least one implicated property owner denied any wrongdoing or political affiliations, underscoring the challenges in verifying such micro-level disputes.
Adding complexity, Karnataka Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna was sacked from the cabinet after admitting irregularities occurred under the Congress government’s watch, though he blamed systemic issues. Amid this escalating debate, social media has amplified unverified rumors, including claims that former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar fled to Malta to evade scrutiny over the alleged fraud. These whispers gained traction online, with some posts suggesting Kumar had obtained Maltese citizenship and escaped amid the controversy.
However, multiple fact-checks and official sources have debunked this entirely. As of August 14, 2025, Kumar remains in India, with aides and government insiders confirming his presence and dismissing the Malta narrative as baseless speculation. Such viral falsehoods risk undermining genuine discourse on election integrity, diverting attention from data-driven investigations.
This controversy extends beyond voter lists to broader concerns about accountability in India’s economic and political spheres. Since Narendra Modi’s regime began in 2014, several high-profile economic offenders have fled the country, evading justice on charges of fraud, money laundering, and loan defaults. These cases highlight systemic challenges in extradition and asset recovery, often involving protracted legal battles abroad. Key fugitives include:
- Vijay Mallya: The former liquor and aviation baron left India in March 2016 amid allegations of bank fraud worth over ₹9,000 crore. Declared India’s first Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) in 2019 under the 2018 FEO Act, he resides in the UK, where extradition proceedings continue despite multiple court rulings in India’s favor.
- Nirav Modi: Accused in the ₹14,000 crore Punjab National Bank scam, the diamond merchant fled in January 2018. Arrested in London in 2019, he was declared an FEO in 2021 and remains in UK custody, contesting extradition.
- Mehul Choksi: Nirav Modi’s uncle and co-accused in the PNB case, Choksi left in January 2018 and acquired Antiguan citizenship. Declared an FEO in 2022, he was arrested in Antwerp, Belgium, in April 2025, prompting renewed Indian extradition efforts.
- Nitin and Chetan Sandesara: The Sterling Biotech promoters fled around 2017, accused of ₹14,500 crore loan fraud. Operating from Nigeria, they were declared FEOs in 2020, with ongoing probes into their overseas activities.
- Sanjay Bhandari: An arms dealer who left in 2016 facing money laundering charges, Bhandari was declared an FEO by a Delhi court in July 2025. Based in the UK, he lost an extradition appeal earlier this year.
Other notable names include Jatin Mehta (Winsome Diamonds, fled 2016, accused of ₹7,000 crore fraud), Sabya Sachi De (fled 2017, bank fraud), and Ashish Jobanputra (fled 2018, diamond scam). The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) of 2018 has been instrumental, enabling asset confiscation for offenses over ₹100 crore. As of 2023, 10 individuals were declared FEOs, with more cases pending.
Government data indicates 38 wilful defaulters fled between 2015 and 2020 alone, though exact figures vary. These fugitives’ escapes underscore enforcement gaps, with India securing only limited extraditions since 2014 around 23 as per earlier parliamentary disclosures. Efforts continue, including bilateral treaties and international cooperation, but delays persist due to foreign legal systems.
Why do these facts matter? Elections form the bedrock of India’s democracy, demanding trust in processes like voter rolls and oversight. Gandhi’s allegations warrant transparent probes, as requested by the ECI, but baseless rumors, like the Malta claim, hinder progress. Similarly, fugitive lists must distinguish proven cases from allegations, avoiding politicization. As scrutiny intensifies, evidentiary rigor and legal processes will safeguard integrity, ensuring debates remain rooted in truth rather than speculation.
