A total of 343 voter ID cards bearing addresses in Indore were reportedly found during a river-cleaning drive at Maheshwar Ghat on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, October 25. The discovery has raised questions about how the cards reached the ghat, located approximately 90 kilometres from Indore.
According to the reported details, the cards carry addresses from areas including Tilak Nagar and Aastha Palace in Indore. Photographs of the recovered cards were also shared by members involved in the cleanliness drive.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery remain unclear. It has not been established who discarded the cards, whether all the documents are genuine, or why they were found at the ghat.
Congress Alleges Vote Theft, Demands FIR
The discovery triggered a political response from Congress leaders in the region. Khargone district Congress president Ravi Naik and block president Himmat Singh Patel demanded an investigation into the matter.
Naik alleged that the incident raised questions about electoral transparency and demanded that an FIR be registered against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged vote theft.
According to Naik, the Congress was protesting the incident and seeking action from the police and district administration. He alleged that officials were unwilling to register an FIR before conducting an inquiry.
Questions Over the Cards’ Year
Naik also questioned the year 2016 reportedly printed on the voter ID cards. He argued that the date raised questions about their format and issuance, referring to the introduction of digital voter ID cards in 2021.
He maintained that the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers could be checked through the relevant system to establish the cards’ details.
However, the available information does not independently establish whether the cards are authentic or whether the discovery indicates electoral malpractice.
As of the reported update, an official investigation had not been confirmed. The origin, ownership and status of the 343 cards remain to be established.