Woman attempts suicide after panicking over lack of SIR documents

A housewife from Goghat in Hooghly district allegedly attempted to commit suicide after panicking over her inability to produce the required documents for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing.

According to family sources, Jaya Ghanteshwari, a resident of the Kokanda area under the Badanpur–Phului II gram panchayat, consumed poison after receiving a summon for the SIR hearing. The incident has caused a stir in the locality and triggered a political controversy, with the Trinamul Congress and the BJP blaming each other.

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Jaya lost her parents in childhood. The family initially lived in Joypur, Bankura, and later shifted to Kamarpukur in Goghat, where they stayed in rented accommodation. Her father, a police constable posted in Bankura, died while on duty. As both her parents died before 2002, their names do not figure in the 2002 electoral rolls published by the Election Commission. At that time, Jaya did not possess a voter ID card.

After her marriage, she obtained a voter ID card in the Badanpur area and has since exercised her franchise. She was recently summoned to appear for an SIR hearing scheduled for 5 January. Family members said that she had been running from pillar to post to collect the required documents but was unsuccessful, which left her severely distressed.

Her son, Kaushik, said the process should have been simplified. “Not only my mother, many others who do not possess certain documents required for the SIR hearing are living in panic,” he said. He added that his mother does not have a permanent residence certificate issued by the local gram panchayat. “She approached the gram panchayat for the certificate, but has not received it yet. On Friday afternoon, when we were out on our daily errands, she consumed poison,” he said.

Neighbours alerted the family, following which she was rushed to Arambagh Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition. She is currently undergoing treatment.

A relative, Sujit Chakraborty, said, “I am her brother-in-law. She had informed me about the issue and appeared extremely panicked. I advised her to attend the hearing and follow the guidelines issued by the officials, as she possesses a voter ID card and has voted earlier. However, she could not overcome the intense anxiety and consumed poison. We hope for her speedy recovery.”

Trinamul Congress Goghat Block II president Soumen Digar alleged that BJP leaders and ministers were responsible for creating unnecessary panic over the SIR process and hearings.

BJP’s Arambagh organisational district president Sushanta Bera denied the allegation, saying, “There is no controversy regarding the SIR. The process is going on smoothly and hearings are being conducted without any problems. The incident involving Jaya Ghanteshwari in Kokanda, Goghat, is a family matter and has no connection with the SIR. Nevertheless, we wish her a speedy recovery and good health.”