Richa Ghosh and Bengal Ministers Among 60 Lakh Voters Under Judicial Scrutiny Ahead of Assembly Polls
T20 World Cup-winning Team India member Richa Ghosh, former footballer Mehtab Hossain, and several Bengal ministers, including Shashi Panja, Md Ghulam Rabbani, and Tajmul Hossain, are part of a staggering 60 lakh voters in West Bengal whose eligibility is under judicial scrutiny for the upcoming assembly polls. This development has raised significant concerns and allegations of procedural lapses and political targeting.
Cricketer Richa Ghosh's Voter Status in Limbo
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh and her sister Somshree have found their names listed in the "under adjudication" category on the final voters' list published on Saturday. Ghosh, currently training in Bengaluru, was unable to be present in Siliguri during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll due to professional commitments. Her father, Manabendra Ghosh, stated that he submitted all necessary documents on behalf of the cricketer, who also serves as a deputy superintendent of Bengal Police, to Election Commission representatives.
"Richa could not be present during the SIR due to her professional commitments. I submitted every necessary document for her. We will find out what needs to be done now. They will reapply for enrolment if needed," he said. Local councillor Mousumi Hazra, who visited the Ghosh residence, emphasized, "Richa is the pride of not just our state, but the entire nation. We will approach the Election Commission on the matter on Monday."
The Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) issued a statement acknowledging that Ghosh's relative had submitted documents, but noted that "it appears that the ERO/AERO concerned did not dispose of the case." The CEO's office has sought a report from the Electoral Registration Officer/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (ERO/AERO).
Former Footballer Mehtab Hossain Expresses Shock
Mehtab Hossain, a former Indian footballer residing in Mallikpur, South 24 Parganas, expressed shock upon discovering his name in the "under adjudication" category. He attributed this to a clerical error involving the addition of 'Mohd' before his name on the voter card. "I have been playing since 1998. The nation has seen me on the field as an Indian footballer. My name appears in the 2002 electoral roll. I have all the documents to prove my identity as an Indian," Hossain stated, highlighting the frustration among affected voters.
Bengal Ministers Allege Deliberate Harassment
State minister Shashi Panja alleged that her name was placed under adjudication despite submitting all required documents, suspecting deliberate action. "The names of my husband and two daughters are on the list. Only my name is in the 'under adjudication' category. I suspect this was done deliberately. The SIR harassment started the day I was called for a hearing. Keeping me under adjudication is the second part of this harassment," she claimed.
Minister Md Ghulam Rabbani, representing Goalpokhor in North Dinajpur, lamented, "Ministers and MLAs usually have the least trouble with enlistment. To find my name under adjudication is shameful." Notably, around 78,000 voters in Goalpokhor are similarly categorized.
Junior minister Tajmul Hossain accused the Election Commission and BJP of conspiring against him due to his political affiliation. "I have been targeted because of my political affiliation. I had submitted all required documents, yet I am under adjudication, along with thousands of voters in Harishchandrapur," he asserted.
Wider Implications and Community Concerns
The issue extends beyond high-profile individuals, affecting ordinary citizens like Yasin Pathan, a Kabir Puraskar awardee for communal harmony work. His children, Tasbir Pathan Badshah, Tania Parveen, and Tamanna Parveen, are under adjudication despite submitting birth certificates, school certificates, and historical records. "My children's names were on the draft list. We attended a hearing and submitted documents, but they are still in the 'adjudication' category," Pathan explained.
In a late-night statement, the Election Commission clarified that several EROs/AEROs failed to decide on cases after hearings, leading to pending cases being forwarded to judicial officers for adjudication. This procedural backlog has intensified scrutiny on the electoral process in Bengal, with inputs from reporters in Midnapore and Murshidabad highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.
The adjudication process underscores critical challenges in voter enrollment, raising questions about efficiency and potential political interference as the state prepares for crucial assembly elections.
