The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a significant move in West Bengal, summoning a host of eminent personalities, including a film star-turned-MP and a national cricketer, for a hearing related to the revision of electoral rolls. The action, under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 process, has sparked a political controversy with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleging deliberate targeting.
Who Has Been Summoned by the Election Commission?
The list of individuals called for the SIR hearing is notable for its star power. It includes TMC MP and popular Bengali film actor Deepak Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, and Indian cricket team pacer Mohammad Shami. The commission has also sent notices to renowned poet Joy Goswami, veteran actor Laboni Sarkar along with her husband Kaushik Bandyopadhyay, and actor Anirban Bhattacharya.
Local Councillor from Ward No. 95, Moushumi Das, confirmed that the three-time MP Dev and three members of his family were summoned. However, the exact date for their appearance before the electoral authorities remains unconfirmed. Actor Anirban Bhattacharya is yet to publicly respond to the summons.
Hearings Commence Amidst Political Allegations
The hearings have already begun in parts of the state. Laboni Sarkar and Kaushik Bandyopadhyay attended their SIR hearing at Katjunagar on Monday, January 5, 2026. Exiting the hearing, Sarkar mentioned that the process involved signing two papers which were then compared with their previous signatures.
Meanwhile, cricketer Mohammad Shami has reportedly communicated to the EC that he will appear for the hearing at a later date as he is currently in Rajkot playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament for Bengal.
The summons to Dev, however, has drawn sharp criticism from his party. The ruling TMC has strongly questioned the rationale behind calling the MP for the hearing, accusing the Election Commission of deliberately attempting to harass him. This allegation adds a layer of political tension to the administrative exercise of cleaning the electoral rolls.
Background and Electoral Significance
The Special Intensive Revision is a detailed process undertaken by the ECI to verify and update voter lists, often focusing on specific areas or categories. Summoning high-profile individuals for verification is a part of ensuring the accuracy of the rolls, especially concerning their residential status.
Dev, born in Ghatal, West Medinipur, moved with his family to Mumbai before returning to Kolkata to pursue acting. He currently resides in South City, South Kolkata, and his family has also moved back to the city. The verification of such details is standard procedure in the SIR process.
This development underscores the Election Commission's active approach in West Bengal ahead of future electoral cycles. The involvement of celebrities and sportspersons brings public attention to the often-overlooked but critical process of maintaining electoral integrity. The political reaction from the TMC indicates that even routine administrative actions are viewed through a partisan lens in the state's charged political atmosphere.
