Archive · 30 Jan 2026
West Bengal's SIR Hearings Spark Controversy
In West Bengal, a lot of people, including former footballer Mehtab Hossain, have been asked to prove they are Indian citizens and voters.
Mehtab is upset because he played for India and feels he shouldn't have to prove his citizenship.
The government and the Election Commission are arguing about some officers being moved around.
Many workers from West Bengal who live in Bengaluru are having a hard time going back for these hearings because train tickets are all booked and flights are too expensive.
The Supreme Court has told the Election Commission to be fair and let people know if they need to prove they are voters.
Some people think this is all political and are not happy about it.
Former Indian footballer Mehtab Hossain summoned for citizenship hearing due to discrepancies in his mother's documents.
West Bengal government and Election Commission of India (ECI) in a dispute over the transfer of IAS officers deputed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Over 2.5 lakh migrant workers from West Bengal in Bengaluru face difficulties returning for SIR hearings due to fully booked trains and high airfares.
Supreme Court extends its directive to Tamil Nadu, asking the Election Commission to display names of voters called for scrutiny over 'logical discrepancies'.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) criticizes the SIR process, calling it 'harassment driven by BJP’s desperation and enabled by the Election Commission'.
- Who
- Mehtab Hossain, former Indian footballer and current coach of Sundarban Auto FC, along with other citizens and IAS officers in West Bengal
- What
- Summoned for hearings during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, and political tensions surrounding the process
- When
- Hearing scheduled for February 1, with ongoing political meetings and Supreme Court directives
- Where
- Mallikpur, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, and other locations across the state
- Why
- Discrepancies found in documents related to citizenship and voter lists, with political parties and individuals criticizing the process
- Name
- Mehtab Hossain
- Profession
- Former footballer, Coach
- Matches Played for India
- 30-odd
- Teams Captained
- Mohun Bagan, East Bengal
- Current Team Coaching
- Sundarban Auto FC
- Hearing Date
- February 1
- Hearing Location
- Mallikpur, South 24 Parganas district
- IAS Officers Involved
- Asvini Kumar Yadav, Randhir Kumar, Smita Pandey
- Migrant Workers Affected
- 2.5 lakh
- Tamil Nadu Voters Affected
- 1.72 crore
Sources
Ex-footballer Mehtab Hossain, who represented India, summoned for SIR hearing
EC-state row deepens over transfer of IAS officers on poll duty
Supreme Court extends SIR voter scrutiny order to Tamil Nadu, asks EC to display names - Telegraph India
Shah to hold high-stakes closed-door BJP meeting in Siliguri
2.5 lakh migrants struggle to return from Bengaluru for hearing
