Garhwa BLO removed after evidence of illegal collection during SIR

Nityanand Dubey 

Garhwa

A Booth Level Officer (BLO) engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district has been removed from service after an administrative inquiry found evidence of illegal collection of money from villagers for accepting SIR application forms.

District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Pashupatinath Mishra ordered the immediate removal of Jamila Bibi, an Anganwadi worker who had been assigned BLO duties in Khapro village under Ranka block, following the submission of the inquiry report.

According to the district administration, complaints alleged that the BLO had been demanding ₹20 to ₹50 per application form and refusing to accept forms from those unwilling to pay.

Among the complainants, Tasaur Ansari alleged that his completed form was not accepted after he declined to pay ₹50. Another villager, Ghyasuddin Ansari, claimed he had paid ₹80 for the submission of four forms. Several other residents also made similar allegations during the inquiry.

The issue came to light after a video purportedly showing the collection of money circulated widely on social media. Responding to the allegations, Ms. Bibi denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the video had been created using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to defame her.

On the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, Ranka Block Development Officer Shubham Bela Topno conducted a field inquiry. The inquiry included recording statements of villagers and examining the viral video. The report concluded that the allegations of illegal collection were substantiated and found no basis for the claim that the video was AI-generated or manipulated.

Based on the findings, the Deputy Commissioner directed that Ms. Bibi be removed from her post with immediate effect. The district administration said financial irregularities and harassment of citizens during official work would not be tolerated and that appropriate action would be taken against those found guilty of misconduct.