Telangana HC Stays Further Proceedings In FIR Against BJP's Madhavi Lata Accused Of Obstructing Voter, Forcibly Lifting Niqab During 2024 Polls

The Telangana High Court has issued notice on a quashing plea by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Madhavi Lata, accused of interfering and obstructing the electoral process during the Hyderabad Parliamentary elections held on May 13, 2024.A bench of Justice J Sreenivas Rao directed that any further proceedings in the FIR against Lata shall remain stayed for the time being. It was also noted that permission had not been sought under Section 155(2) CrPC.The case arises from an FIR registered in Crime No. 186/2024 at Malakpet Police Station following a complaint lodged by Smt. M. Aruna, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) deployed at Polling Station No. 64, Holy Mother High School, Asmanghad.According to the complaint, at around 10:45 AM on polling day, BJP candidate K. Madhavi Latha allegedly entered the polling station and began scrutinising voters. It was alleged that she stopped one voter, Smt. Rafathunnisha, examined her identity card, and lifted her niqab without consent, questioning the mismatch between her appearance and the ID photograph. The voter was allegedly asked to return with additional identification after removing her niqab for verification, following which she left without casting her vote.Based on the complaint, police registered offences under Sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of duty), 171(C) (undue influence at elections), and 505(1)(C) IPC, along with Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act.During investigation, the complainant (LW-1) and multiple eyewitnesses (LWs 2–5) supported the allegations, stating that the accused interfered with the polling process and questioned voters. The school principal (LW-6) also confirmed that the premises had been designated as a polling station and that the candidate's presence led to disruption of election-related duties.A notice under Section 41A CrPC was subsequently served on the accused. Upon completion of investigation, the police concluded that offences under Sections 186 and 171(C) IPC were made out against her for allegedly obstructing the BLO and interfering in the electoral process. However, allegations under Section 505(1)(C) IPC and Section 132 of the Representation of the People Act were not substantiated.Aggrieved, the accused approached the Telangana High Court seeking quashing of the FIR and subsequent proceedings.Case No: WPA 5697 of 2026T Niranjan Reddy Senior Counsel, Advocate on record; Kailash Nath PSS, Advocate, Mohd. Nazeeruddin Khan, Advocate, appeared for the petitioner.

Telangana HC Stays Further Proceedings In FIR Against BJP's Madhavi Lata Accused Of Obstructing Voter, Forcibly Lifting Niqab During 2024 Polls

Srinjoy Das

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