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Hundreds of Voter ID Cards Recovered from the Narmada Riverbank in Madhya Pradesh
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Discovery of Voter ID Cards on the Narmada Riverbank
Members of the Niswarth Seva Samiti, a social-service group based in Indore, reported finding a large number of Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) while cleaning the ghats at Mandleshwar on the Narmada River in Khargone district. Police officials later seized the cards and prepared an official record of the recovery. The cards bear residential addresses in Indore’s Rau Assembly constituency, including localities such as Astha Palace, Shraddha Puri, Akash Nagar, Tilak Nagar and Aastha Palace. The police station in-charge, Pankaj Tiwari, stated that 343 cards were recovered; other reports describe the haul as “over 300” cards.
Official Response and Ongoing Inquiry
Maheshwar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Purva Mandloi confirmed that a tehsildar was dispatched to investigate the find and that the exact number of cards would be clarified after the enquiry. Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Shweta Shukla said the revenue team arrived on the SDM’s instructions, prepared a panchnama, and seized the cards. The station house officer has been tasked with investigating the matter, and a written complaint has been lodged with the police.
Political Reaction and Allegations of Vote Theft
Congress district president Ravi Naik alleged that the cards constitute evidence of “vote theft” and questioned how cards dated 2016 could exist, noting that the digital EPIC format was introduced only in 2021. He demanded that an FIR be registered, an impartial investigation be ordered, and divers be deployed to search the riverbed for additional cards. Naik also warned that the party would gherao the police station if a case were not filed. The party has raised the issue with the Election Commission, seeking a thorough probe.
Context and Potential Implications
The discovery follows a similar incident in Chhatarpur district, where hundreds of voter ID cards were found in a pond during a cleaning exercise in October 2025. If the cards are genuine, their presence on the riverbank could raise questions about the handling of voter rolls and the integrity of the electoral process in the region. Authorities have indicated that entering the EPIC numbers into the election database would verify authenticity, a step that could shape any subsequent legal or administrative action.