Actor Dev gets SIR notice, TMC says EC deliberately harassing three-term MP

After completing his studies, Dev started living in Kolkata to pursue acting.

Actor and TMC MP Deepak Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, is the latest big name to receive a notice from the Election Commission (EC) for the SIR hearing.

Three members of the MP’s family have also been issued notice to appear for the hearing as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, local councillor Moushumi Das said, adding there is no word on when he and the rest of his family will have to show the documents to the EC officials. Dev, too, has not yet made any comment on the EC notices.

The EC has issued notices to nearly 32 lakh voters in West Bengal as part of the second phase of SIR to establish proof of citizenship or cross-check their submitted documents.

Deb was born in Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur and grew up in Mumbai, where his father had a business. After completing his studies, Dev started living in Kolkata to pursue acting. After slowly establishing himself in the film world, he bought a flat in South Kolkata, where he resides with his family. The TMC said that the EC was deliberately harassing the three-time MP.

Other eminent Bengali actors who have received notices and appeared for the hearing are Laboni Sarkar, Kaushik Bandyopadhyay, and Anirban Bhattacharya.

Both Laboni Sarkar and Kaushik Bandyopadhyay, residents of Tollygunge in south Kolkata, visited Katjunagar School for the SIR hearing on Monday. “This is the work of the government. We have no questions or answers. We came here. They made us sign two papers and compared them with my previous signature,” Sarkar told mediapersons.

Anirban Bhattacharya, who also hails from Paschim Medinipur, has moved to Kolkata with his family for professional reasons.

Officials at the CEO’s office said Bhattacharya was summoned as he did not submit any documents dating back to 2002 while filling out the enumeration form. Eminent poet Joy Goswami and cricketer Mohammad Shami have also been called for the hearing. Shami, who is currently in Rajkot to play for the Vijay Hazare Trophy for West Bengal, could not appear for the hearing on Monday. He has reportedly urged the EC to allot him another date.