Kolkata, 14 June (H.S.) -A man allegedly holding dual Indian and Bangladeshi citizenship and accused of participating in student protests in Bangladesh has been removed from the electoral roll in West Bengal, according to senior officials from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Newton Das, previously a registered voter in the Kakdwip Assembly constituency of South 24 Parganas district, was reportedly found to possess voter identification cards from both India and Bangladesh. His name was struck off the Bengal voter list following a detailed investigation initiated after photographs emerged on social media showing him participating in student protests across the border in Bangladesh.

The action was confirmed by senior ECI officials, who said the move followed directives from the Commission and was based on findings from two separate inquiries. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal had first sought a report from the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Kakdwip, but after deeming the initial findings inconclusive, a second report was requested. A comprehensive review of both reports ultimately led to the removal of Das from the state’s voter database.

Das’s cousin, Tapan Das—himself a voter from the same area—confirmed to media and election officials that Newton possessed voter ID cards from both countries.

While Newton Das denied holding Bangladeshi citizenship, he acknowledged traveling to Bangladesh in 2024. According to his statement, he went there to resolve matters related to ancestral property and incidentally became involved in student protests during his stay. He claimed to have been a registered voter in Kakdwip since 2014 and said he voted in the general elections that year. After losing his voter card in 2017, he was issued a new EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) in 2018. Das further claimed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Kakdwip, Manturam Pakhira, had assisted him in obtaining the replacement card.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Bengal unit reacted sharply to the development, stating that it reinforces their longstanding allegations that the TMC and sections of the state administration are deliberately enabling Bangladeshi nationals to gain entry into Bengal's electoral rolls.

“This case vindicates our concern that the ruling party is compromising national security and the integrity of the democratic process by enrolling foreign nationals as voters,” a BJP spokesperson said.

The Election Commission has not commented on whether further legal action will be initiated in this case, but officials indicated that the matter has triggered broader scrutiny of voter records in border regions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh