An elderly man died in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, with his family alleging that severe anxiety related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls led to a fatal heart attack, police said on Wednesday.
Death reported from Haroa village
The deceased was identified as Sahar Ali Mondal, a resident of Purba Madartala village in Haroa. According to a senior police officer, the incident occurred on Tuesday night.
Mondal was among five members of his family who had received notices to appear for a hearing scheduled on Wednesday as part of the SIR exercise being conducted by the Election Commission of India.
Family alleges mental stress
Family members told police that Mondal had been under severe mental stress since receiving the notice. They claimed he was deeply anxious about the status of his sons’ names on the voters’ list and feared possible legal or administrative complications.
Police said preliminary information suggests the man suffered a heart attack, though further details are awaited. No foul play has been reported so far.
Political controversy erupts
The incident has triggered a political row in the state, with the ruling Trinamool Congress alleging that fear and confusion surrounding the SIR process have led to multiple deaths across West Bengal.
Local TMC panchayat member Swapan Mondal demanded an immediate halt to the voter roll revision exercise, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of politicising the process through the Election Commission.
The BJP, however, rejected the allegations, stating that there was no evidence linking the SIR process to the man’s death and termed the claims politically motivated.
Authorities urge restraint
Officials have urged the public to avoid panic and misinformation, stressing that the SIR exercise is a routine administrative process aimed at ensuring accuracy in electoral rolls. Police said the matter is being examined and further action will be based on official findings.