SIR fear leads to elderly man’s death in Purulia, TMC to lodge FIR

An elderly man was found dead on railway tracks a few hours after leaving home to attend a hearing called by the Election Commission of India (ECI), triggering strong protests from the Trinamul Congress (TMC).

It announced that it will lodge an FIR directly against the Election Commission of India.

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Eighty-two-year-old Durjan Majhi of Chautala village under Anara Gram Panchayat in Purulia district had been deeply anxious after receiving a notice for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing. “Will I be able to reach the SIR hearing on time?” This worry, coupled with mounting anxiety, reportedly consumed him in the days leading up to the hearing.

On Monday, the scheduled day of the hearing, Durjan left home early in the morning to look for a toto (e-rickshaw) to travel to the Para block office, around eight kilometres from his house. He never returned. Nearly three hours later, his body was recovered from the Anara–Rukni railway track near his residence.

Family members said Durjan Majhi’s name had been listed in the electoral rolls since 2002 and that he had also duly filled out the enumeration form during the SIR process. Despite this, receiving a hearing notice on December 25 had severely disturbed him. On the day of the hearing, he grew increasingly anxious, fearing he might not reach the venue on time. The family believes this mental stress led to his death.

After the incident, TMC student wing district president Kiriti Acharya and block president Manoj Saha visited the bereaved family. They alleged that the elderly man had been subjected to unnecessary harassment and announced that a formal complaint would be lodged against the Election Commission at Para police station.

Durjan Majhi belonged to an extremely poor family. Despite his age, he was physically fit and active. Following receipt of the hearing notice, however, he reportedly became withdrawn and stopped eating properly.

On Monday morning at around 7.30 a.m, Durjan informed his family that he was stepping out to find a toto. When he failed to return by 10.30 a.m, the family grew anxious and informed local TMC leaders, who began searching for him. Shortly thereafter, his body was discovered on the nearby railway track.

After the recovery of the body, several TMC leaders, including block president Manoj Saha, district sabhadhipati Nivedita Mahato and assistant sabhadhipati Sujoy Bandyopadhyay, visited the family.

“Why was an elderly man, whose name was already on the voter list since 2002 and who had submitted the enumeration form, summoned for a hearing? This was nothing but harassment,” alleged Manoj Saha.

TMC leaders reiterated that they would file a direct complaint against the Election Commission of India at Para police station.