Tragic Suicide in Bengal: Man Takes Life Over Voter List Exclusion Fears During SIR Process

A 52-year-old man's body was discovered hanging from a tree near his home in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Thursday. According to police reports, the family claims he was experiencing significant mental distress due to fears of being excluded from the voters' list during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

The deceased, identified as Tarak Saha, was a resident of Gandhi Colony in the Uttarpara area under Berhampore Municipality, as confirmed by a senior police officer.

"We found Saha hanging from a tree in close proximity to his residence. Family members have informed us that he had been deeply worried after discovering his name was not included in the 2002 voter roll. Saha was particularly anxious because he lacked any historical documentation that could establish his status as a legitimate voter," explained the police officer handling the case.

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls currently taking place in West Bengal is the first such exercise in 23 years. The previous SIR in the state was conducted back in 2002.

Authorities have registered a case of unnatural death, and investigations are currently in progress, the officer added.

Since the SIR announcement, police have reported multiple incidents of people allegedly dying by suicide across West Bengal, apparently driven by fears of being excluded from the voters' list during this revision exercise.