Journalist Ajit Anjum Faces FIR in Bihar for SIR Ground Reporting
Senior journalist Ajit Anjum! (Image X.com)
Complaint Accuses Anjum and His Team of Disrupting BLO Duties; Journalist Says FIR Is Attempt to Intimidate Press
By AMIT KUMAR
PATNA, July 15, 2025 —A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against senior journalist Ajit Anjum, along with his associates and camera crew, for allegedly obstructing the work related to Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll in the poll-bound state.
Anjum has been accused of disrupting official duties related to voter verification. The journalist has said that he’s unfazed with the registration of the FIR, while being ready to face the consequences of his journalism.
The FIR was filed at Bairiya Police Station on the complaint of Anshulalhak, a Booth Level Officer (BLO), who was conducting data verification work through the BLO App in Rasulpur Kantha, Assembly Segment 16,145, under the Bairiya constituency on July 12, 2025.
According to the complaint, Anjum and his team entered Samagar Basti without permission, began filming, and allegedly disrupted the BLO’s work. The report claims that Anjum raised objections on camera regarding “Muslim names in the voter list and accused the administration of facilitating illegal enrolments.” The complainant alleged that these claims were misleading and risked sparking public unrest.
The FIR has been registered under Case No. 296/25 and includes multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC):
- Section 223 (escape from custody by negligence of a public servant),
- Section 339 and 341 (wrongful restraint),
- Sections 132, 136, 302, and 365,
- and provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including Sections 123, 127, and others.
SI Rajeshwar Pandit has been assigned to investigate the matter. Anjum in a post on X said: “I will not be silenced”. Reacting to the FIR, Anjum issued a public statement, alleging political and administrative pressure behind the move. He claimed he has not yet received a copy of the FIR and is awaiting official confirmation.
He said that the FIR has been filed against him Begusarai in Bihar. Anjum explained that two days ago he had reported from Ballia block, highlighting irregularities in forms being filled under the Special Summary Revision (SSR) process.
Following his coverage, he said “local officials, including the BDO and SDO called” him and asked him to delete the video, which he refused.
Anjum further claimed that the FIR is part of a larger attempt to intimidate journalists and suppress scrutiny of the Election Commission’s conduct in Bihar. He added that he had returned from Kishanganj to Begusarai to cooperate fully with authorities.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that 6,60,67,208 electors, or 83.66% of Bihar’s 7.89 crore electorate, have already submitted their Enumeration Forms (EFs) as part of the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Roll. With just 11 days left before the final deadline, the Commission is intensifying efforts to ensure maximum participation.
The update follows two exhaustive rounds of door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who found that 1.59% of electors were deceased, 2.2% had permanently shifted, and 0.73% were enrolled in more than one place. “In total, 88.18% of electors are either accounted for through valid submissions, removals, or verification — leaving 11.82% yet to submit their forms,” said the ECI in a media statement. The final Draft Electoral Roll is scheduled to be published on August 1, 2025.
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