The 37-year-old government official was assaulted by two youths while he was doing his SIR work in Bengaluru’s D.J. Halli area on Wednesday afternoon. Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) and started an investigation.
The victim has been identified as Pakeerappa, a Superintendent at the Slum Board. He was recently appointed by the Pulakeshinagar Revenue Office as a Supervisory Officer responsible for the management of the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Ward No. 47.
According to the FIR registered at Devarajeevanahalli Police Station, the incident took place around 1:30 pm near Kousar Mosque on 18th Cross in Roshan Nagar. Pakeerappa was checking on the ongoing SIR process when he noticed an argument between a local BLO and two persons identified as Yarab and Dastagir.
The dispute started when the two youths approached the BLO and asked for an SIR form. The BLO later found out that the individuals were residents of Jayanagar and advised them that they should obtain the relevant forms from the jurisdiction in which they lived.
The direction apparently led to a heated argument between the BLO and the two individuals.
Pakeerappa intervened to calm the situation and asked the youths what happened. According to his complaint, the confrontation increased after he questioned them.
“Suddenly, one of the boys asked me, ‘Who are you to ask this?’ and unexpectedly punched me in the mouth,” Pakeerappa said in his complaint.
An injury to his lip and bleeding were caused by the blow; the second accused allegedly struck him in the eye and on his back during the fight.
The incident was brought under control when residents and bystanders intervened and separated those involved.
After the alleged assault, Pakeerappa informed his senior officials and sought medical treatment at Ambedkar Hospital. He then approached the police and filed a formal complaint on Wednesday evening.
Based on the complaint, the D.J. Halli Police filed a case against Yarab, Dastagir, Iqbal and others under Sections 121(1), 132, 352 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The FIR has provisions for obstruction, assault, and acts related to the alleged incident. The exact role of each accused and the sequence of events will be investigated as part of the investigation.
Police are gathering information and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the clash. BLO statements, residents, and other individuals who were near that location at the time might be considered, said police spokesman Don L. Clements.
The case has raised concerns about the safety of government officials and election-related personnel in the fields. During verification, registration, and other administrative activities, the Booth Level Officers and supervisory staff also engage with the public.
Those assignments may also involve issues of documentation, jurisdiction, and eligibility. No government member can be harassed, threatened, or attacked by anyone.
The SIR process involves extensive field-level coordination in which BLOs and supervisory staff members interact with the residents and verify relevant information. Any disruption to the work can affect the smooth operation of the administrative exercise.
The alleged assault has also made public cooperation a key component of official verification and electoral revision work. Residents should follow the procedures given by authorized officials and go to the appropriate office or jurisdiction for assistance.
The investigation is ongoing, and police will take further action based on the evidence collected. FIR allegations will be investigated, and the accused will have the opportunity to respond through the legal process.
More details on arrests, witness accounts, or further legal action are awaited.
So far, government officials in the field have to keep their safety the utmost priority while doing their job.
