Kolkata: Former IPS officer and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Debra in West Midnapore, Humayun Kabir, on Friday questioned the rationale behind the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) notice issued to him by the Election Commission of India (ECI), expressing surprise that he was asked to prove his eligibility as a voter despite a long and distinguished public service career.
Kabir appeared before election officials for the SIR hearing at DPS Ruby Park School in Kolkata.
“My Name Missing Because I Was on UN Deputation”
Speaking after the hearing, Kabir said the ECI had rejected his voter ID card, PAN card and passport as insufficient documents because his name did not appear in the 2002 electoral roll.
Explaining the reason, Kabir said that during that period he was posted in Europe on a United Nations deputation, following official orders issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
“I was serving abroad on a UN mission as part of my official duty. I even have a copy of my diplomatic passport,” Kabir said, questioning how his absence from the voter list during that period could be held against him.
Pension Records Submitted During Hearing
Kabir said he complied fully with the process and submitted pension-related documents during the hearing. However, he described the situation as deeply surprising.
“Despite serving in the police force for 31 years and representing the country overseas, I still had to appear for a hearing to establish my credentials,” he remarked.
SIR Notices to Prominent Personalities Spark Debate
Kabir’s case is among several involving prominent public figures who have been served notices under the SIR exercise, triggering political and public debate in West Bengal.
Earlier this month, the Election Commission issued an SIR notice to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, seeking a hearing at his residence in Shantiniketan. The move drew sharp reactions across political and academic circles.
Cricketer Mohammed Shami, TMC Leaders Also Face SIR Hearings
Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami also appeared before election officials in Kolkata for his scheduled SIR hearing. He submitted the required documents at a school in the Bikramgarh area of south Kolkata.
Several TMC leaders have received similar notices, including:
- Dev, TMC MP and actor
- Mimi Chakraborty, former TMC MP and Bengali film actress
Their inclusion has added to the political sensitivity surrounding the SIR exercise.
TMC Alleges Harassment Through SIR Exercise
Senior TMC leader and State Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Shashi Panja, also participated in the SIR hearing process. She alleged that the exercise was being used to harass citizens under the guise of voter list verification.
The Trinamool Congress has consistently accused the ECI of targeting individuals selectively and undermining democratic processes through the SIR drive.
SIR Exercise at the Centre of Political Row
The Special Intensive Revision has become a major flashpoint between the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government and the Election Commission, with the ruling party alleging that the exercise could lead to large-scale deletion of legitimate voters ahead of upcoming elections.
The ECI, however, maintains that the SIR process is a routine exercise aimed at ensuring accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
