Bangladeshi national threatens election official during voter list revision in West Bengal

Kolkata: A serious case of electoral fraud and intimidation has surfaced during the ongoing voter list revision exercise in West Bengal, where a Bangladeshi national allegedly made false declarations and issued death threats to a Booth Level Officer (BLO) to retain his name in the electoral rolls.

The accused has been identified as Khairul Karigar, a Bangladeshi youth who allegedly entered India illegally several years ago and procured Indian identity documents through unlawful means.

According to election officials, Khairul had managed to secure a place in the voter list and had even cast votes in previous elections. His identity came under scrutiny during the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

During verification, Khairul allegedly declared in the SIR form that his mother was deceased, despite her being alive. Shockingly, he reportedly named a neighbouring woman as his mother in the official documents. Following this discrepancy, local election authorities issued a notice to Khairul for verification.

Angered by the inquiry, Khairul allegedly threatened the Booth Level Officer with dire consequences. In a complaint filed with the police, the BLO stated that the accused claimed proximity to ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and warned that the official would face serious harm if the inquiry continued.

Election Commission sources said the verification drive is focused on voters whose names are not linked to the 2002 electoral rolls, often referred to as the “no-mapping” list. Khairul’s name figured prominently on this list, prompting closer examination.

Preliminary findings indicate that Khairul migrated illegally from Bangladesh and settled in the Sahabkhali Panchayat area of Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas district. He has been residing in Pukuria village along with his mother, Rahima Bibi.

Both are registered voters at Booth No. 190, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of their documents. Local residents have alleged that Khairul routinely intimidates villagers by invoking the names of TMC leaders and exerts undue influence in the area. They have demanded strict legal action and immediate deportation of the accused.

Responding to the incident, the BLO said, “The accused openly threatened me using political names. I am not afraid. He is a Bangladeshi national, and there is no valid proof of his legal residence here.”

Police have registered a complaint and initiated an investigation into the alleged threats, document fraud, and illegal residency. The incident has triggered sharp political reactions, with demands for a thorough probe into illegal infiltration and voter list manipulation in border districts of West Bengal.

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