Cricketer Mohammed Shami and actor-turned Trinamool Congress MP Dev have been summoned for Special Intensive Revision hearings in Kolkata. The Election Commission issued notices to both public figures and their family members. The move has triggered sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress leadership.
TMC State Vice President and spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar criticised the process. He said the hurried implementation of the SIR exercise reflects poor preparation. He added that such actions have damaged the Election Commission’s credibility as an impartial institution.
Reports stated that three members of Dev’s family also received hearing notices. Shami and his brother were also called for the hearing. Shami’s hearing was scheduled for Monday, January 5, but he could not attend due to a prior cricket tournament commitment. Election Commission officials confirmed that a new hearing date will be announced soon.
The date for Dev’s hearing has not yet been finalised. Dev is a three-time MP from West Bengal’s Ghatal constituency. Though born there, his family later moved to Mumbai and then Kolkata due to professional commitments.
Shami was born in Uttar Pradesh but shifted permanently to West Bengal for his cricket career. He has been a registered voter in Kolkata’s Jadavpur area for years.
Several other public figures, including poet Joy Goswami and actor Anirban Bhattacharya, have also received SIR notices. TMC has accused the Election Commission and the BJP-led Centre of harassment.
