Kolkata: A striking image of alleged harassment during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has emerged from the Ghatal BDO office in West Medinipur
district, West Bengal. The incident involves 71-year-old voter Sheikh Jafar Ali from Ajabnagar-2 Gram Panchayat, voter booth number 187. A local resident named Sheikh Jafar Ali was summoned for a hearing under the SIR process due to a “logical discrepancy” in the voter list. His name appears in the electoral roll as Sheikh Jafar Ali Sheikh. Because the word “Sheikh” appears both at the beginning and end of his name, he was called for verification. What drew public attention was the sight of the elderly man arriving at the BDO office carrying a trunk on his head. Several identity cards, hearing notices, and property documents were also seen hanging from different parts of his body.
When asked why he brought a trunk, Jafar Ali said, “Sir, I am not educated. So I brought all my family’s documents in a trunk to the BDO office. The officers can check whatever documents they need from here.”
The incident has sparked criticism, with many calling it an example of extreme harassment faced by ordinary citizens during the SIR process.
No official statement has been issued by the Booth Level Officer (BLO) or the Election Commission regarding the matter so far. Later, police personnel arrived at the spot and asked the elderly man to take the trunk and leave the BDO office premises.
