BJP MLA DN Jeevaraj moves Karnataka High Court against FIR over voter ballot tampering allegations

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA DN Jeevaraj has approached the Karnataka High Court challenging the registration of an FIR over allegations that he tampered with voter ballot papers to secure an election victory from the Sringeri constituency after a recent vote recount.

The plea is likely to be listed before the vacation Bench comprising Justice V Srishananda tomorrow (May 5).

The matter concerns the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. Earlier, Congress leader TD Rajegowda had been declared the winner from the Sringeri constituency, by a narrow margin of 201 votes.

The result was subsequently challenged by BJP leader DN Jeevaraj through an election petition filed before the Karnataka High Court.

On April 6, the High Court ordered a recount of postal ballot votes, including a re-verification of 279 rejected postal ballots.

On May 3, 2026, the Returning Officer formally declared a revised result, in which Rajegowda's votes were reportedly reduced by 255. Jeevaraj was declared the winning candidate.

Hours later, however, a criminal case was registered against Jeevaraj, Deputy Commissioner KN Ramesh, former Returning Officer Vedamurthy and others, on allegations that they tampered with the ballot papers. The first information report (FIR) was registered on a complaint by Congress election agent Sudhir Kumar Murolli. The complaint also refers to allegations of irregularities in the original counting process from May 13, 2023.

The FIR cites the offences under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged documents as genuine), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 149 (common object) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 136 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Jeevaraj has challenged this FIR before the High Court. He has contended that the complaint is politically motivated and aimed at reopening issues already settled by the High Court.

He has further argued that the timing of the complaint, coinciding with the fresh declaration of results, suggests an attempt to undermine and overreach the judicial process.

The plea also claims that election officials did not properly follow the Court’s earlier directions when it came to declaring the revised result promptly. Jeevaraj has alleged that the declaration of results occurred only after he issued a legal notice through WhatsApp.

Jeevaraj's petition has been filed through advocate Dr. Vandana PL.