An unusual situation has emerged in Bihar, where two Pakistani women were found to be included in the draft voter list in Bhagalpur. The women are believed to have arrived in India around 70 years ago. This came to light as part of a verification drive by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aimed at identifying foreign nationals residing in India beyond their visa validity. The Ministry of Home Affairs investigation found voter ID cards made in the names of Imrana Khanam and Firdousia Khanam.
Furthermore, the women’s names were verified during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which preceded the 2025 assembly elections. The BLO overseeing the verification stated that they had been notified by the election department following a formal communication from the Home Ministry on August 11.
The details of their entry into India are also being investigated. Firdousia came to India on January 19, 1956, on a three-month visa, and Imrana on a three-year visa. The Bhagalpur district administration has initiated legal proceedings. Notices will be sent to both women, requiring them to present their case with supporting documents.
Both women reside in Bhikanpur Gumti No. 3 Tank Lane under the Ishakchak police station. In Imrana Khatoon’s case, Farzana Khatoon received the district administration’s order, and the process to remove her name has been initiated.
Imrana Khanam provided a statement regarding the process. She stated that she verified the women during the SIR, using the passport numbers provided by the department. She also noted that Imrana Khanam is old and unwell, and the department has instructed that their names be removed. The Home Ministry notice was received on August 11.
Bihar began a Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in July, prior to the upcoming assembly elections. The first phase involved the distribution and collection of enumeration forms between June 25 and July 25. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), of the 7.89 crore registered voters in Bihar as of June 24, forms from 7.24 crore voters were received by July 25.