A case has been registered against an Indian national who allegedly gave false information claiming to be a US citizen in order to vote in the American presidential election. Mukesh Kumar Somabhai Chaudhary, an Indian national, has been charged over allegations that he fraudulently claimed to be a US citizen in order to vote in the 2024 general election. Officials allege that despite not being a US citizen, he claimed to be one in order to vote in the general election held on November 5, 2024.
A federal grand jury in the District of Minnesota filed an indictment with two charges against him on Thursday, the US Department of Justice announced. According to officials, at the time of voting in the November 5, 2024 election, Chaudhary signed a voter certification document required under Minnesota law, which mandates the signer to attest under oath that they are a US citizen.
However, officials say Chaudhary is not a US citizen. Despite knowing this, he is charged with making a false statement claiming US citizenship and voting on that basis. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division responded to the matter, stating that the right to vote as a US citizen is extremely important, and that the electoral system must ensure that every eligible voter’s right to vote remains secure.
Dhillon made clear that action would be taken against anyone who deliberately provides false citizenship information in order to vote, stating that ensuring only eligible US citizens vote, and that their votes are counted correctly, is vital to the electoral system. Chaudhary faces two charges — one for providing false information, and another for falsely claiming to be a US citizen in order to register to vote and cast a ballot. If convicted on both counts, he could face a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison on each charge.