Kolkata, 21 February (H.S.) : An alleged audio clip claiming that money was demanded to facilitate inclusion of names in the voter list under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process has sparked controversy in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

The purported incident has been reported from Bagda in Bongaon subdivision, where a Booth Level Officer is accused of seeking ₹10,000 per person to add names to the electoral roll. According to allegations emerging from the viral audio, a total of ₹50,000 was demanded for enrolling six members of a family.

The authenticity of the audio clip, however, has not been independently verified.

The accused official has been identified as Chandrakanta Mondal, a primary school teacher posted in the area and serving as a Booth Level Officer for a polling booth under the Bagda Assembly segment. In the audio clip that is circulating widely, a voice purportedly attributed to him is heard in conversation with a local resident, allegedly negotiating payment in exchange for facilitating voter registration. It is further alleged that the demand was made in the name of a “micro-observer.”

The controversy deepened after it was claimed that the family in question were suspected undocumented migrants from Bangladesh and that their names did not appear in the 2002 electoral rolls. Allegations suggest that identification documents may have been arranged through indirect means and that the money was sought to regularise their names in the voter list amid the revision exercise.

Following the circulation of the audio, former Bagda MLA Dulal Bar reportedly submitted a written complaint via email to the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Officer and Block Development Officer, seeking action against the Booth Level Officer.

The accused has categorically denied the charges, claiming that the audio was fabricated using technological manipulation. His father also rejected the allegations, stating that there was a deliberate attempt to frame his son.

The issue has triggered a political slugfest between the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. A Trinamool Congress leader from the local panchayat body said that if any wrongdoing is established, it would be investigated and appropriate action taken, asserting that the state government does not shield misconduct. He also accused the opposition of attempting to sensationalise the matter for political mileage.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, on the other hand, alleged that such activities were being carried out with the tacit support of the ruling party and demanded a thorough probe.

The family at the centre of the allegations has declined to comment.

With the electoral roll revision exercise underway and political tensions running high ahead of the Assembly elections, the episode has added to concerns over transparency and integrity in the voter registration process.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh