West Bengal SIR-Linked Deaths: Families File Police Complaints Against Top Poll Officials

Kolkata: Two families in West Bengal have filed police complaints against the Chief Election Commissioner and the state's Chief Electoral Officer, blaming them for the deaths of elderly voters linked to the latest round of electoral roll revision.

A complaint was filed against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Tuesday, police said.

The complaints were lodged in Purulia and Howrah after relatives said their loved ones died soon after receiving hearing notices related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. 

Why were the complaints filed?

In Purulia, the 82-year-old Durjan Majhi's son Kanai told police he took his life hours before a scheduled SIR hearing. The complaint alleges his name was on the older 2002 physical voter list but missing from the updated online list, causing distress. He jumped before a moving train just hours before his scheduled SIR hearing.

In Howrah, relatives of 64-year-old Jamat Ali Sekh said he died at home on Monday shortly after getting a notice to appear for a hearing. They claim the burden of the process contributed to his death. 

Another elderly man in East Midnapore was found dead at his home after also receiving a hearing notice, according to police reports. 

How have the election authorities responded?

Officials at the Election Commission stressed that the law protects the poll panel and its chief from FIRs simply for performing official duties. They said neither the CEC nor the state CEO can be held criminally liable under the circumstances. 

"No FIR can be lodged against the CEC. The law is specific on this. A CEO too cannot be blamed for any criminal offence while discharging his duties. Any FIR drawn by police will have legal consequences."

An EC spokesperson said any FIR filed will carry legal consequences, and the commission takes its obligations seriously. 

What is SIR and why is it controversial?

The Special Intensive Revision is a nationwide effort to update voter lists, including in West Bengal, ahead of future elections. But it has drawn sharp criticism. State leaders and local groups say the exercise has caused confusion, stress and even panic among vulnerable voters.