75-year-old just discharged from hosp, 104-year-old in SIR queue
Times of India | 14 January 2026
Behrampore: Age or ill health did not seem to be good enough reasons to spare the old and the ailing an appearance for SIR hearing.
While 104-year-old Haru Sheikh had to attend a hearing on Tuesday, Monowara Bibi (75), had to be specially discharged from hospital for the exercise. Both residents of Baidyanathpur village in Murshidabad were called for hearing to the Dakbangla Krishak Bazar centre in Burwan. Haru Sheikh's family hired a toto to take him to the centre and Monowara Bibi shared the ride while returning.
Additional district magistrate Dina Narayan Ghosh said, "I am looking into it. Hearings for many elderly people are being held at their homes. Even SDOs are visiting homes. If you receive a hearing notice, you must inform the BLO for a home hearing. They have the application forms. This has been publicized at various levels. Still, I am checking how this happened."
A crowd gathered at the centre as Haru Sheikh climbed down from the second floor, supported by three family members. Ajmer, his nephew, said his centenarian uncle was called for a hearing due to a spelling error in his name. Ajmer said no one visited them, forcing them to bring Haru Sheikh to the hearing centre to protect his voter's right. "He cannot even walk properly, it was very difficult for him to attend the hearing," he said.
Monowara Bibi fell ill due to the extreme cold and was admitted to Kandi Hospital five days ago. But the family got her released on Monday for Tuesday's hearing. Alauddin, her grandson, said she was called due to a mistake in the spelling of her husband's name. "It was nothing but harassment. She is extremely weak," he said.
Mahe Alam, Trinamool Burwan South Block president, said the EC was causing unnecessary harassment. He claimed new notices were being issued at various booths, each numbering 200-250. "In SIR name, EC is trying to make the BJP happy," he added.