Two Indian Nationals Among 28 Charged In California Over Alleged 2024 US Election Fraud
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Two Indian nationals are among 28 people charged with election-related crimes in California, the United States, according to the US Department of Justice. The accused, Amandeep Kaur, 30, and Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67, are alleged to have registered as voters and cast ballots in the November 2024 US elections despite not being US citizens. The charges were reportedly announced on October 19, 2026, as part of a federal operation to investigate alleged election fraud.
Who Are the Two Indian Nationals?
Amandeep Kaur reportedly lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and is seeking US citizenship. Investigators allege that she registered to vote in December 2022 and voted in the November 2024 election. Kamlesh Shah, who lives in Sacramento, allegedly registered to vote on the day of the November 2024 election and cast a ballot on the same day. The department has not clearly confirmed whether either Indian national was among those arrested.
What Are the Charges?
The 28 accused are lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders. They are legally allowed to live in the US but are generally not allowed to vote in federal elections unless they become US citizens. Prosecutors allege that the accused falsely claimed to be US citizens while registering to vote. Some also face charges related to allegedly providing false information in applications for US citizenship. The maximum punishment for certain felony charges can be five years in prison.
11 People Arrested in California
The charges were announced under an operation called “Protect the Vote”, which involves federal law enforcement agencies across California. Officials reportedly said 11 of the 28 accused had been arrested during early-morning operations across the state. The Justice Department said the investigation aims to identify and prevent illegal voting and protect the US election system. The cases are being handled by federal courts in different parts of California.
The federal government has also raised concerns about voter registration records in California. According to the Justice Department, it had shared a list of people suspected of being non-citizens who were registered to vote with state election officials. Federal officials alleged that California did not agree to set aside the ballots of the people on the list while their citizenship status was checked. The federal government has taken legal action over the issue, while the wider claims about election fraud remain disputed.
The charges against the 28 people are allegations and have not been proven in court. The accused will have the opportunity to respond to the charges through the legal process. Under US law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case has drawn attention to rules on voter eligibility and the checks used to protect the election process in the United States.
