85-yr-old dies in Rishra, kin claim anxiety over hearing notice
Times of India | 3 January 2026
Hooghly: Dhananjay Chaturvedi, an 85-year-old resident of Rishra who was summoned for an SIR hearing on Sunday and was admitted to Rishra Maternity Hospital on Dec 29, passed away on Thursday.
His family claimed he was worried about SIR hearing. He was unwell for some time and was bedridden at home. However, he kept himself informed about the SIR, said his son. The family alleged that he died due to anxiety over SIR.
Rajendra Chaturvedi, the elderly man's son, stated that his father used to work at a school in Kolkata's Burrabazar. They shifted to Rishra two years ago. On Dec 29, a BLO notice for the hearing was issued, and since then, his father was anxious. They lived in Kolkata's Rabindra Sarani and NS Road areas. Rajendra has also been summoned on Jan 5.
His father was worried about where to go for the hearing, how to get there, and what would happen if his name was removed. Rajendra questioned why the EC was harassing elderly and sick people despite having all their documents.
Vijay Sagar Mishra, chairman of Rishra Municipality, said it was shameful that even at this age, a person had to prove their Indian citizenship.
Manoj Singh, BJP councillor from Rishra, said the elderly man's potassium levels dropped. "He was old and unwell," he said.