Three individuals have tragically passed away in separate incidents across North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Birbhum districts in West Bengal due to apprehensions surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing process. In North 24 Parganas, a father suffered a fatal heart attack upon learning that his children had received SIR hearing notices for voter registration discrepancies. The man, Chhoyed Sheikh, succumbed to anxiety as his son, a migrant worker in another state, could not attend the hearing.
In Nadia district’s Karimpur area, Fizur Khan died by suicide after his wife received an SIR hearing notice due to a name discrepancy. Fearing his wife’s potential deportation, Fizur Khan took his own life, despite efforts to save him. Meanwhile, in Birbhum district’s Rampurhat Municipality, Johnny Sheikh, a water bottle seller, ended his life out of fear related to the SIR process, as he was apprehensive about receiving a hearing notice like many others in his ward.
The Election Commission’s routine process of addressing discrepancies was emphasized by local authorities, clarifying that it does not entail deportation. The incidents highlight the profound impact of fear and anxiety surrounding the SIR process on individuals and their families, leading to tragic outcomes.
