EVM Hacking Row: Delhi Police files FIR against Syed Shuja

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has lodge an FIR against self-proclaimed cyber expert Syed Shuja on Wednesday, based on a complaint filed by the Election Commission regarding allegations of hacking of EVMs and rigging of polls.

"Based on a complaint received from the Election Commission, an FIR has been registered under Section 505 of the Indian Penal Code (intent to cause fear or public mischief) at Parliament Street police station. Action will be taken as per the law," a senior police officer said.

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It is to be mentioned that the Election Commission, on Tuesday, had asked the Delhi Police to register an FIR against Syed Shuja, the self-acclaimed tech expert from London who claimed that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) can be hacked and that the 2014 Lok Sabha polls were rigged.

EC, in its letter to Delhi Police, said that Shuja has voilated section 505 (1) of the IPC pertaining to spreading rumors to "create fear" in the minds of people.

The EC asked the police to “investigate promptly” the statement made by Shuja on Monday at an event in London that the EVMs can be tampered with and that the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were rigged.

The US-based self-claimed cyber expert Syed Shuja claimed that EVMs can be hacked through a transmitter and the technique was used during Indian elections in the past.

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However, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday supported VVPAT-fitted EVMs for the coming Lok Sabha polls.

"My stand is very clear on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). I don't agree with people who question it. It is perfectly fine. And when there will be VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) machines at every polling booth, there will be no problem at all," he told the media.

"I don't agree with the things that are being said about EVMs. EVMs have strengthened people's right to vote."

He also said that previously elections would see both bogus voting and physical capture of voting stations.

"This will not be possible now with EVMs and VVPAT machines at polling booths."

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