Despite EC order, no FIR against MLA Manirul over vandalism, hate speech
Times of India | 24 January 2026
Kolkata: Despite an Election Commission directive, the Murshidabad district administration hasn't lodged an FIR against Farakka Trinamool MLA Manirul Islam for vandalism at a BDO office and hate speech against the Commission, till Friday evening. The EC had directed the Murshidabad DM (also the DeO) on Thursday to lodge an FIR against Islam and send a compliance report by 5pm on the same day.
On Jan 14, a BDO office in Farakka was vandalised allegedly by TMC protesters. Protesters alleged that citizens were being harassed at the hearing. Islam and his supporters were allegedly seen in the CCTV footage and other videos from the scene. The BDO lodged an FIR against unknown miscreants. Five persons were arrested and later given bail. However, Islam was not named in the FIR.
Islam was involved in another controversy after a video appeared on social media in which he was purportedly heard making hate speech against the Commission. In a letter to SDO Jangipur on Friday, Islam said, "I respectfully clarify that the remarks made by me during said public address were neither intended to undermine the authority of the Election Commission nor to influence the electoral process in any improper manner. The statements were made in good faith as a general expression of public opinion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process."
"I further submit that there was no mala fide intent, provocation, or violation of any statutory provision in my speech. Any interpretation to the contrary would be inadvertent and unintended," he added.