The II Additional District and Sessions Court, Belagavi, sitting at Gokak, has granted pre-arrest bail to BJP leader Dr Ravi Basalingappagowda Patil, accused No. 3 in a case concerning alleged submission of fictitious Form No. 7 applications during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters list.
Background
The case arose from a complaint alleging that forms were submitted with the intention of removing 198 voters from the electoral roll. According to the complaint, the voters were allegedly residing at the addresses mentioned in the electoral list, while the Form No. 7 applications were claimed to be fictitious. The police registered Market Police Station Crime No. 218/2026 invoking several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Dr. Patil, a medical practitioner, denied involvement and expressed apprehension that his arrest could affect his reputation. He also stated that he was ready to cooperate with the investigation.
The court noted that the alleged Form No. 7 documents were already with the election authorities and that the matter was substantially based on documentary evidence. It further observed that submission of Form No. 7 would not automatically result in deletion from the electoral roll, as the election authority would conduct its own inquiry and verification.
The court observed:
"Though offences are non bailable, but they are not punishable with death or imprisonment for life. Thus by imposing conditions, if the petitioner is admitted on interim bail, that will meet the ends of justice."
The court granted Dr. Patil pre-arrest bail in Crime No. 218/2026 on execution of a ₹50,000 bail bond with one surety for the same amount.
He was directed to cooperate with the investigation, appear before the investigating officer when called, and not threaten prosecution witnesses or engage in other criminal activities.
