Hyderabad Police Investigate Case of Falsified Electoral Roll Information

Police Launch Investigation into Electoral Misinformation in Hyderabad

Authorities in Hyderabad have opened an investigation into the circulation of false information regarding electoral rolls on social media, officials announced Friday. The case stems from allegations that manipulated voter data for several film actresses was being spread online ahead of an important upcoming bypoll.

According to a statement released by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the misleading social media posts claimed that certain actresses appeared in electoral rolls with altered addresses, manipulated photographs, and invalid Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers.

The assistant electoral registration officer of Jubilee Hills assembly constituency and the assistant municipal commissioner of Yousufguda Circle filed the formal complaint that triggered the investigation. Police at the Madhura Nagar station have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the recently implemented criminal code that replaced the Indian Penal Code.

“The investigation is currently underway,” police officials confirmed, though they have not yet named any suspects or detailed the specific social media platforms where the misinformation appeared.

The timing of this incident is particularly sensitive as Jubilee Hills, an upscale residential and commercial area in Hyderabad, prepares for a high-stakes bypoll on November 11. The special election was necessitated by the death of Maganti Gopinath, the sitting Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party, who suffered a fatal heart attack in June.

Election officials expressed concern that such misinformation could undermine public trust in the electoral process during this critical period. In their statement, officials warned that the “circulation of false or misleading information could disrupt the election process” and urged citizens to exercise caution when consuming or sharing content related to the elections.

The Jubilee Hills constituency is known to be home to many celebrities and high-profile residents, which likely made it a target for this specific type of misinformation involving film actresses. The affluent district represents a prized political seat in Telangana’s capital city.

Electoral integrity has become an increasingly important concern in India, with authorities stepping up efforts to combat misinformation, particularly on social media platforms where false claims can spread rapidly. The Election Commission of India has implemented various measures in recent years to address these challenges, including dedicated social media monitoring cells and strict guidelines for political communication.

The GHMC statement emphasized that “strict action will be taken against those found spreading misinformation,” signaling that authorities are taking the matter seriously. Under the BNS, individuals convicted of deliberately spreading false information that could cause public alarm or disturb public order can face significant penalties.

The bypoll results for Jubilee Hills are scheduled to be announced on November 14, just three days after voting concludes. Political observers note that the outcome could serve as an important indicator of voter sentiment in Telangana, where full legislative assembly elections were held in late 2023.

As the investigation continues, election officials have encouraged voters to verify information through official channels, including the Election Commission’s website and authorized voter helplines, rather than relying on unverified social media posts.

This case highlights the growing intersection between digital misinformation and electoral integrity in India’s rapidly evolving information ecosystem, with authorities increasingly vigilant about protecting the democratic process from potential manipulation.