Police in Tamil Nadu’s capital Chennai have detained as many as 25 foreign nationals for allegedly casting fraudulent votes in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The breach was discovered during post-election security screenings at major international airports.
The immigration officials identified the suspects after noticing the tell-tale mark of indelible ink on their fingers. The suspects, who participated in the electoral process, fraudulently used fake identity documents despite holding foreign citizenship.
The arrests have triggered a wider investigation and raised questions about how the non-citizens have managed to obtain identity documents to participate in India’s democratic process. All the foreign nationals were apprehended at Chennai International Airport as they attempted to leave India after the April 23 polls concluded.
All the suspects will be brought to the court for legal proceedings. Immigration authorities have lodged a complaint with the Greater Chennai Police Commissionerate, local and central crime units.
Airport Security Flags Suspicious Marks
The operation began a week ago when officials from the Bureau of Immigration at Chennai International Airport intercepted a man of Indian origin holding a British passport.
The individual, who had reportedly obtained British citizenship in 2015, was attempting to board a flight to London when authorities noticed the electoral ink on his index finger. Investigation revealed he had allegedly cast a ballot in the Pattukottai constituency.
Similar detentions followed at Madurai airport, with suspects carrying passports from Canada, Sri Lanka, and Australia.
Breach of Electoral Integrity With Forged Documents
Preliminary findings suggest that a majority of those detained are Sri Lankan nationals who may have used forged or fraudulently obtained documents to enter their names into the electoral rolls.
“We conducted discreet inquiries and alerted authorities who detained 25 to 30 persons as they prepared to board flights,” a senior police official reportedly said. Investigators believe many of these individuals arrived in the state shortly after the election was over, and some may have intentionally delayed their departure to allow the indelible ink to fade.
Legal Action Ahead
The Tamil Nadu Police have initiated legal proceedings under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The Crime Branch is currently verifying the credentials of other foreign nationals who visited the state during the polling period. Sources told PTI that while most detentions occurred in Chennai, at least two foreign nationals were identified as having voted in the neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry.
The arrests come at a highly sensitive time for the state as the newly elected government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) takes office. Opposition leaders have called for a thorough audit of the electoral rolls to ensure the integrity of the mandate.
“A swift probe is essential to verify the details of those who arrived in the state before the poll and remain here,” an investigator noted, emphasising that digital records will be used to track the extent of the fraudulent activity.
