Minister Shashi Panja Raises Harassment Claim Over SIR Hearing

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews,  January 26, 2026 : State Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja has been summoned for a hearing by the SIR (Special Investigation Team). The Trinamool MLA from the Shyampukur constituency has been asked to appear at Keshab Academy at 2 pm.

Regarding being summoned for the SIR hearing, she said, “My name is on the 2002 list. But the notice says that I have not provided some information about myself and my relatives. I will take the 2002 documents with me. This problem is entirely the Election Commission’s. If the app had been updated, all the information should have been available in the app itself. Since my name is on the 2002 list, I do not need to provide any new information. This is disrespectful and insulting.”

Shashi Panja further added, “But this is not just about me personally; this is how ordinary people, ordinary voters, are facing harassment. My address has not changed either. I have two children. In the relationship section, I have written my husband’s name. I have voted from this address since I got married and moved here. Just like ordinary people are standing in line to submit their documents for the hearing, I will do the same.”

The minister said, “I do not need any special privileges. The hearing centre is not very far for me. I live in my own area. But due to this flaw of the Election Commission, ordinary people are being harassed, because the Election Commission’s app is not working properly. Many people are travelling 20–30 kilometres for something that is the responsibility of the Election Commission, not the common people.”

Besides her, many others, including MP Dev, MP Samirul Islam, State Minister Tajmul, and Naushad Siddiqui, have also been summoned for the hearing. Even prominent figures like Amartya Sen, Joy Goswami, and Mohammed Shami have been summoned.

The Trinamool Congress has repeatedly raised its voice on this issue. Now, the summoning of a state minister in Kolkata has sparked a political controversy.

MP, 26 Jan 2026, Kolkata: State Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister and senior TMC leader Shashi Panja, alleging harassment, said she was summoned to an SIR hearing despite appearing on the 2002 electoral rolls.

“Why are so many documents being sought from me? There is no fault on my part. I am still not confident whether my name will appear in the list on February 14. I am really surprised – my name was there in 2002, what more proof is required?” she said.

“Why am I being asked to submit extra documents? I am genuinely worried about the others (who have been summoned for the hearings), too,” Panja added.

“No one else in my family has been summoned—only me. My husband and daughters have not been called. I will go with all my documents,” she said.

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TMC leader Debangshu Bhattacharya also said that he and his family members had received SIR notices. Bhattacharya, who is in charge of the party’s IT cell, alleged that the BJP was using an AI-based system to track social media activity and selectively target those who opposed the party.

“There were no shortcomings in the details we submitted, and our names also featured in the 2002 electoral rolls,” Bhattacharya said.

Bengali actor and TMC MP Dev had earlier attended an SIR verification hearing. Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami appeared for his hearing on January 20 at a school in the Bikramgarh area of south Kolkata. Former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty has also been summoned for an SIR hearing.