A 68-year-old man from Jaynagar in South 24 Parganas died within 48 hours of attending a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing while on oxygen support, triggering political controversy and public anger in the area. The family of the deceased has alleged that the stress linked to the hearing and his fragile health condition contributed to his death
The deceased has been identified as Najitul Mollah, a resident of Uttar Thakurer Chak under the Gardeowani panchayat area of Jaynagar.
Family alleges stress over voter list omission
According to family members, Najitul Mollah had been under severe mental stress for several months after discovering that his name did not appear in the 2002 voter list, raising fears that it could be removed from the electoral rolls.
On December 20, he was admitted in a critical condition to a private hospital in Diamond Harbour. As his health deteriorated, he was later shifted to Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, where he was kept on oxygen support.
Brought out of hospital to attend hearing
Amid his treatment, the family alleged that Mollah received a notice asking him to appear for an SIR hearing on December 31. To comply, the family signed a bond and brought him out of the hospital on December 30.
They claimed that despite his frail condition, he was made to attend the hearing with an oxygen tube still inserted in his nose. Soon after returning home, his health reportedly worsened again, forcing another hospitalisation. He died on Friday night, January 2.
“This is nothing short of inhuman. My father was extremely worried and was forced to attend the hearing despite being critically ill,” his son alleged.
Political row erupts in Jaynagar
The incident has sparked sharp political reactions. BJP Jaynagar organisational district president Utpal Naskar alleged that established norms were violated, claiming Election Commission guidelines allow hearings at home for the seriously ill.
A functionary of the All India Trinamool Congress dismissed the allegations as “absurd”, rejecting claims of coercion.
Probe and public concern
The incident has raised serious questions among local residents and intensified debate over administrative sensitivity in dealing with elderly and critically ill citizens. No official statement has yet been issued by election authorities regarding the specific circumstances of the hearing.