Bommai: SIR-linked FIRs illegal without EC complaint, targets Shivakumar
Synopsis
Basavaraj Bommai has put Karnataka's Congress government on the defensive, alleging that every FIR filed in connection with the voter-list revision drive is illegal — because the Election Commission says only it can trigger such cases. With 43 lakh notices already issued and the 2028 Assembly election looming, the SIR process has become the new flashpoint in Karnataka's bitterly contested political arena.
Key Takeaways
Basavaraj Bommai alleged on 5 October 2026 that FIRs registered by the Karnataka state government in the SIR process are illegal.
He cited an Election Commission clarification that only the Commission — not private individuals — can initiate such complaints.
Shivakumar was accused of pressuring the Commission and acting unlawfully to protect his political interests ahead of 2028 .
The ECI had itself issued notices to 43 lakh people as part of the SIR exercise.
State Chief Electoral Officer V.
Anbukumar said he had written to the Election Commission seeking formal clarification.
A broad NDA delegation — including Union Ministers H.D.
Kumaraswamy and Shobha Karandlaje — attended the meeting, signalling a coordinated opposition push.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai on Monday, 5 October 2026, alleged that FIRs registered by the state government in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process were illegal, citing an Election Commission clarification that no such case could be lodged without a complaint originating from the Commission itself. Bommai made the remarks after National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders met State Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar in Bengaluru.
What the Election Commission Said
According to Bommai, the Election Commission of India (ECI) made it explicitly clear that private individuals are not authorised to seek FIRs in matters concerning the SIR process. He claimed the Commission had stated it had not filed complaints through any Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) or Booth Level Officer (BLO) and was not concerned with complaints filed by third parties.
'The Election Commission must file the complaint,' Bommai told reporters outside the Commission's office. He further said cases were reportedly being registered daily on the basis of complaints by private individuals — a practice he called unlawful given the Commission's stated position.
Bommai's Allegations Against Chief Minister Shivakumar
Bommai trained his sharpest criticism on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, alleging that the Congress leader was acting out of fear that a cleaner voter roll could hurt his political fortunes ahead of the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections. 'Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar came before the Election Commission, created a ruckus, put pressure on the Commission and acted unlawfully,' Bommai alleged. The Congress government has not yet formally responded to these specific charges.
Bommai also alleged that the SIR process had triggered FIRs against BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) workers, which NDA leaders termed politically motivated. He said the Commission had been urged to issue directions preventing police from registering complaints tied to the SIR process.
Rahul Gandhi Brought Into the Row
Bommai also took aim at Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, alleging a contradiction in his position. He claimed that Gandhi had previously raised concerns about discrepancies in voter-list additions, yet was now opposing the deletion of allegedly ineligible entries. 'Illegal voter names are being deleted, and he is saying they should not be deleted. This is his absurd argument,' Bommai alleged. He further accused Gandhi of practising politics based on religion and caste — a charge Gandhi's office did not immediately respond to.
Notably, the Election Commission had itself issued notices to 43 lakh individuals as part of the SIR exercise, Bommai pointed out, framing the revision as a Commission-driven process rather than a partisan one.
Courts and Form 7 Complaints
On the question of Form 7 applications being submitted in bulk, Bommai said EPIC numbers are publicly available on the Election Commission website, implying that the process of flagging suspect entries was transparent. He added that courts had observed no immediate action was required merely because a Form 7 complaint had been submitted, suggesting judicial backing for a measured approach.
The State Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar reportedly told the delegation he had written to the Election Commission seeking formal clarification on the legality of the FIRs.
Key Attendees
The NDA delegation at the meeting included Union Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy and Shobha Karandlaje, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and other BJP and JD(S) leaders. The broad turnout signalled the opposition's intent to escalate the SIR controversy as a coordinated political front ahead of the next election cycle.
With the State Chief Electoral Officer having sought formal clarity from the Commission, the Election Commission's response is expected to set the terms of the debate — and determine whether the FIRs already registered can sustain legal scrutiny.
Point of View
And Bommai's press briefing is as much electoral theatre as it is a legal argument. The core claim — that FIRs require EC-originated complaints — is specific enough to warrant serious scrutiny, yet the BJP's track record of weaponising electoral processes in opposition-governed states deserves equal scepticism. What is undeniable is that Karnataka's 2028 elections are already shaping decisions made in 2026: the voter list is now a battlefield, and both sides are using the Commission as a prop rather than engaging with its actual mandate. The State CEO's decision to seek formal clarification is the only procedurally sound move on the table — and its outcome will tell us whether the FIRs survive or collapse.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SIR process in Karnataka and why is it controversial?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an Election Commission exercise to clean up the voter rolls by identifying and removing ineligible or duplicate entries. It has become controversial in Karnataka because opposition BJP and JD(S) workers allege they have been targeted with FIRs for participating in the process, while the Congress government accuses the NDA of using the SIR to delete legitimate voter names.
Why does Basavaraj Bommai say the Karnataka FIRs are illegal?
Bommai claims the Election Commission clarified that only it — not private individuals — can file complaints that trigger FIRs in matters related to the SIR process. Since the Commission reportedly stated it had not lodged any complaint through its AROs or BLOs, Bommai argues that every FIR registered so far lacks a valid legal basis.
What has the Election Commission done about the SIR in Karnataka?
The Election Commission had itself issued notices to 43 lakh individuals as part of the SIR drive. State Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbukumar told the NDA delegation on 5 October 2026 that he had written to the Commission seeking formal clarification on whether the FIRs were legally maintainable.
What is the political significance of this dispute ahead of 2028?
Karnataka's next Assembly elections are due in 2028, and control over the voter list directly affects electoral outcomes. Bommai alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is opposing the SIR because a purified voter roll could hurt the Congress's chances, turning what is normally an administrative exercise into a high-stakes political battle.
Who attended the NDA delegation meeting with the State Chief Electoral Officer?
The delegation included former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy and Shobha Karandlaje, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and other BJP and JD(S) leaders.
