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Key Points

Thrissur police have launched an investigation into Union Minister Suresh Gopi following a Congress complaint about illegal voter registration. The complaint alleges Gopi falsely declared Thrissur residency to contest the Lok Sabha elections despite living in Thiruvananthapuram. This comes after BJP’s historic first win in Thrissur through Gopi’s victory. The probe will examine document authenticity and potential criminal conspiracy behind the voter transfer.

Key Points: Thrissur Police Probe Suresh Gopi Over Alleged Illegal Voter Registration

  • Thrissur ACP assigned to probe voter transfer legality
  • Complaint cites false residency declaration in Thrissur
  • Gopi’s family still listed in Thiruvananthapuram rolls
  • BJP’s first Thrissur win under scrutiny over electoral ethics
3 min read

Thrissur Police begins probe into complaint against MoS Suresh Gopi for alleged illegal voter registration

Kerala police investigate Union Minister Suresh Gopi for illegal voter transfer amid BJP's historic Thrissur Lok Sabha win.

Thrissur Police begins probe into complaint against MoS Suresh Gopi for alleged illegal voter registration
"This is clear proof of the electoral manipulation carried out by Suresh Gopi – T.N. Prathapan"

Thrissur, Aug 12

The Thrissur City Police, on Tuesday, initiated a probe into a complaint filed by senior Congress leaders against Union Minister and Member of Parliament Suresh Gopi, alleging illegal voter registration and criminal conspiracy.

Thrissur City Police Commissioner, R. Ilango, confirmed that the complaint has been formally accepted and assigned to the Thrissur Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Salish N. Sankaran, for investigation.

He added that legal opinion will also be sought before proceeding further.

The complaint was lodged by T.N. Prathapan, member of the KPCC Political Affairs Committee, who alleged that Suresh Gopi unlawfully transferred his vote to Thrissur constituency just ahead of the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Prathapan was the Thrissur Lok Sabha member from 2019 to 2024, but decided not to contest the 2024 national polls.

According to the complaint, Suresh Gopi, who is a permanent resident of Thiruvananthapuram, shifted his voter registration to booth number 115 in the Thrissur Assembly constituency by making a "false declaration" and following "illegal means".

Prathapan claimed that this action violated provisions of the Representation of the People Act, which allows voter registration in a constituency only if the individual is a permanent resident there.

The complaint also said that Suresh Gopi and his family have been residing for decades at House No. 22/1788 in the Sasthamangalam division of Thiruvananthapuram Assembly constituency.

Even during the most recent electoral roll revision -- conducted after Suresh Gopi assumed charge as a Union Minister -- the names of Gopi and his family members continued to appear on the Thiruvananthapuram voter list.

"This is clear proof of the electoral manipulation carried out by Suresh Gopi," Prathapan alleged in his submission to the police.

The issue has sparked political attention in Kerala, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been making inroads in Thrissur, a constituency it won for the first time in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls through Suresh Gopi's victory.

The police probe will now examine the authenticity of the documents submitted for voter transfer, the legality of the process, and whether any criminal conspiracy was involved.

In a related development allegations have now surfaced Gopi's brother Subhash Gopi, also holds dual voter registrations.

According to reports, Subhash Gopi's name appears in both the Thrissur and Kollam electoral rolls.

In Kollam, his voter registration is linked to the family home, "Lakshmi Nivas", with voting rights in booth number 84 of the Eravipuram Assembly constituency.

However, it remains unconfirmed whether he actually cast a vote there in the last election.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a Thrissur resident, I'm shocked! If the allegations are true, this is serious electoral malpractice. Our democracy deserves better than such manipulations. Hope the police investigation is impartial and thorough. 🇮🇳
A
Anjali F
Many politicians do this voter shifting before elections. The system needs complete overhaul. Why single out Suresh Gopi? Let the law take its course but this selective outrage shows political motives.
S
Sarah B
The brother having dual registration is even more concerning. If proven true, this shows a pattern. Electoral integrity is fundamental to democracy. Hope Kerala police shows the same urgency as they do in other cases.
V
Vikram M
Suresh Gopi is a respected figure in Kerala. He won because people wanted change, not because of some voter registration. Congress is just trying to tarnish his image. Let's wait for investigation results before jumping to conclusions.
K
Kavitha C
Whether BJP or Congress, all politicians play these games. The real issue is our weak electoral laws that allow such loopholes. EC should implement stricter verification for candidate nominations itself.
M
Manish T
As a neutral observer, I must say the timing is suspicious. But if documents prove illegal transfer, action must be taken regardless of who is involved. Our democracy can

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