Case Registered against BJP Candidate for allegedly asking Muslim Women to Show their Face for ID Check in Hyderabad

A case has been registered against Kompella Madhavi Latha, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency after a video surfaced showing her demanding burqa-clad Muslim women at a polling booth to reveal their faces for identity verification against their voter ID cards. District Election Officer Ronald Ross emphasized, "No candidate has the right to lift someone's veil to check her identity."

The incident, which occurred during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls, has prompted authorities to register a case against Latha at the Malakpet Police Station, citing violations of the Representation of People Act and interference with the electoral process. Latha, however, defended her actions, asserting, "As per law, a candidate has the right to check ID cards without facemasks."

Asaduddin Owaisi, while yet to comment directly on the incident, shared the viral video on his Twitter account. Despite the backlash, Latha expressed concerns about alleged discrepancies in the voters' list and criticized the apparent lack of vigilance by police personnel at polling booths. The incident occurred as voting commenced across 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh's fourth phase of polls.

Latha's early casting of her vote at a polling booth in Secunderabad was followed by her visit to a booth in Azampur, where the incident occurred. She directed officials to conduct stringent checks on voters, including verifying the identities of burqa-clad women. However, social media backlash ensued, with AIMIM reportedly planning to file a complaint with the Election Commission against Latha. In response to the controversy, Latha reiterated her right as a candidate to verify ID cards, emphasizing her gender and humility in making the request.

The BJP fielded Latha to challenge Owaisi in Hyderabad, a seat he has consistently won by significant margins in past elections. Gaddam Srinivas Yadav is also contesting from this high-profile Lok Sabha constituency.​