A 68-year-old man, Najitul Molla, passed away a day after attending a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing in Joynagar, South 24 Parganas, while on an oxygen tube. His family claims that anxiety and fear over the SIR summons contributed to his death.
Molla, a resident of Uttar Thakurchak under Gardewani Panchayat, had been unwell for some time. He suffered a heart attack on December 20 and was initially admitted to a hospital in Diamond Harbour before being transferred to Chittaranjan Hospital in Kolkata due to his deteriorating condition.
On December 31, he received a notice summoning him for the SIR hearing. Despite his frail condition and dependence on an oxygen tube, the family brought him to the hearing after signing a bond at the hospital. The next day, his health worsened at home, and he was rushed back to Chittaranjan Hospital, where he died.
“He had been ill for a long time. When the summons arrived, he attended the hearing with an oxygen tube in his nose. His body couldn’t withstand the strain, and he died shortly afterward,” said his nephew, Nazir Hossain Molla.
The deceased’s son, Harun Molla, said, “We have lived here for generations, but my father’s name was not on the 2002 voter list. He was extremely worried, and when the notice came, we took him to the hearing despite his condition. Later, he became even more ill. His death was due to both his illness and mental stress caused by the hearing.”
Jaynagar Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahabuddin Sheikh blamed the SIR process for the death, stating, “One person after another is losing their lives in Bengal due to the fear created by the Election Commission’s SIR. Molla became terrified and stopped eating after his name came up in the hearing. The Election Commission and BJP must take responsibility.”
BJP Jaynagar district vice-president Biswanath Patra criticised this framing, saying, “The death of the elderly man is unfortunate, but the TMC is politicising it by linking it to the SIR. Any death during this period should not be automatically attributed to fear from the process. We want a thorough investigation by the police and administration.”
Baruipur Police District Additional Superintendent Rupantar Sengupta said no complaint has been filed yet. “Once a complaint is received, the matter will be investigated,” he added.
Also read: Mamata writes to ECI, flags ‘arbitrary’ SIR over WhatsApp
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