Nandan Nilekani, Zerodha’s Kamath brothers among voters reportedly flagged in Karnataka SIR

Fresh updates from the financial markets indicate that Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, who was instrumental in the development of Aadhaar, and Zerodha co-founders Nithin and Nikhil Kamath are among prominent Bengaluru voters who have reportedly received notices during Karnataka’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The names were highlighted by X user Avinash (@avinashmohan), who shared details of voters reportedly flagged during SIR exercise.

According to the information shared in the post, Nilekani was flagged as 'unmapped in last SIR', while Nithin and Nikhil Kamath were flagged for a 'parent name mismatch'.

The notices have reportedly been triggered by discrepancies in electoral records, including voters being marked as unmapped with previous SIR database or differences in parents’ names.

Additionally, read: Karnataka SIR: Bengaluru voters question notices over ‘unmapped’ data, spelling discrepancies

When Moneycontrol contacted Bengaluru District Election Officer and GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao around the notices being issued, he stated, "It’s surprising, and we will look into it."

Copy will be updated once we receive responses from the stakeholders.

The development comes as Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer’s office has generated 43.81 lakh notices covering voters among the state’s 4.46 crore electors.

The offering has highlighted concerns over the SIR process, particularly in Bengaluru, where a large number of voters have been asked to clarify discrepancies between their current electoral records and older databases.

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukumar had earlier told Moneycontrol that notices are being issued where voters have either not provided mapping data or where their information does not match the previous electoral database.

“We are giving notices to those who have not provided mapping data or whose data does not match the previous database. Not every voter in the draft roll will get a notice. Of the 4.46 crore names in the draft roll in Karnataka, notices are being issued to only 43 lakh,” Anbukumar stated.

The case of Bharat Ratna awardee and scientist Prof CNR Rao had additionally drawn attention. That stated, Bengaluru election officials clarified that he was not served an SIR notice.

Rao is listed as a voter in Part No. 59 of the 157-Malleswaram Assembly constituency in the current draft electoral roll. Officials found a discrepancy between his current entry and the 2002 electoral roll. His current record carries the name 'Proff CNR Rao S/O Nagesh Rav. H”, while the older roll lists “Rama S/O H Nagesh”.

The Booth Level Officer verified the record and recommended it for inclusion in the final electoral roll. The Additional Electoral Registration Officer approved the record on September 8, according to election officials. Bengaluru District Election Officer and Chief GBA Commissioner Maheshwar Rao stated notes claiming that Rao had been served a notice were factually incorrect.

Prakash Raj’s name stays on electoral roll

Actor Prakash Raj had earlier alleged that his name was removed from Bengaluru’s electoral roll during the SIR exercise. Election officials disputed the claim, saying his name remained on the electoral roll at Serial No. 970 in Part No. 1 of Shanthinagar Assembly constituency when electoral data was frozen on June 16. Raj subsequently participated in protests against the SIR exercise in Bengaluru.

43.81 lakh notices generated in Karnataka

As of September 4, 7.32 lakh of the 43.81 lakh notices generated in Karnataka had been delivered, while 36.49 lakh were pending delivery. Hearings began on September 3 and will continue until October 12. Bengaluru Urban accounted for 9.46 lakh notices, followed by BBMP North with 6.13 lakh, BBMP Central with 4.29 lakh and BBMP South with 4.18 lakh. The claims-and-objections period is open until September 23, while the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on October 27.