Authorities in Bihar are investigating the inclusion of two Pakistani women on the Bhagalpur voter list, a matter that has raised concerns. The women are believed to have arrived in India around 70 years ago. The discovery emerged during a verification process conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to identify foreign nationals residing in India past their visa validity. Voter ID cards were issued to Imrana Khanam (Imrana Khatoon) and Firdousia Khanam. Both women were also verified during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, and voter ID cards were issued.
The women’s names were not only on the state’s voter list but were also verified during the SIR process. The Booth Level Officer (BLO) overseeing the verification said they received notification from the election department following a formal communication from the Home Ministry on August 11.
Firdousia’s entry to India occurred on January 19, 1956, with a three-month visa, while Imrana’s visa allowed her a three-year stay. The Bhagalpur district administration has begun proceedings. Notices will be sent to both women, requiring them to present their documentation. Both women live in Bhikanpur Gumti No. 3 Tank Lane, under the jurisdiction of the Ishakchak police station. In Imrana Khatoon’s case, Farzana Khatoon received the order from the district administration, and the process to remove her name started.
Imrana Khatoon stated, “I verified them during the SIR. I received a letter from the department with their passport numbers, which I cross-checked. We have been asked to remove their names. One of their names is Imrana Khanam. She was not in a condition to speak, she is old and unwell. As per the orders of the department, I filled out the form and began the process of removing her name. Her passport is from 1956, and she got her visa in 1958. She is from Pakistan. The next step of the investigation will be carried out by the department. I had received a notice from the Home Ministry on 11 August.”
Bihar initiated a Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in July in anticipation of the upcoming assembly elections. The initial phase involved distributing and collecting enumeration forms between June 25 and July 25. The Election Commission of India (ECI) reports that out of 7.89 crore registered voters in Bihar as of June 24, forms from 7.24 crore voters were received by July 25.
