An unusual incident has shocked Bihar where two Pakistani women have been included in the draft voter list in Bhagalpur. It is alleged that these women came to India nearly 70 years ago. This came to light during a verification drive initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs to identify foreign nationals residing in India beyond the validity of their visas. According to the investigation by the Ministry of Home Affairs, voter ID cards have been made in Tank Lane in the name of Imrana Khanam alias Imrana Khatoon, wife of Ibtul Hasan, and Firdousia Khanam, wife of Md. Tafjeel Ahmed. The elderly women were even verified during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process ahead of the 2025 assembly elections. They were also issued voter ID cards.

The names of the woman not only appeared in the state's voter list but had also been verified during the SIR process. The Booth Level Officer (BLO) in charge of the verification said she was notified by the election department. This was based on a formal communication from the Home Ministry on August 11.

Firdousia, from Rangpur, came to India on January 19, 1956, on a three-month visa. Imrana came on a three-year visa. The Bhagalpur district administration has started proceedings against this. Notices will be sent to both women, and they must present their side with the required documents.

Both women live in Bhikanpur Gumti No. 3 Tank Lane under Ishakchak police station. In Imrana Khatoon's case, Farzana Khatoon received the order from the district administration, and the process to delete her name started.

"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." Imrana Khatoon Said.

Bihar launched a Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in July ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. In the first phase, enumeration forms were distributed and collected between June 25 and July 25. Out of 7.89 crore registered voters in Bihar as of June 24, forms from 7.24 crore voters were received by July 25, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

How Did Two Pakistani Women Find Place on Bihar's Voter List? News24 -