Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to investigate allegations surrounding Newton Das, a registered voter in the Kakdwip Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district.
Das, who was reportedly involved in the 2024 student protests in Bangladesh, has sparked controversy over claims of dual citizenship.
The issue gained attention after social media posts surfaced, showing Das participating in the Bangladesh student movement.
Whistleblowers alleged that Das holds citizenship in both India and Bangladesh, an accusation that has drawn sharp criticism.
Das has denied being a Bangladeshi citizen but admitted to traveling to the neighbouring country and participating in the protests.
He stated that he has been a voter in the Kakdwip constituency since 2014 and participated in that year’s Lok Sabha elections.
According to Das, his visit to Bangladesh in 2024 was to resolve ancestral property disputes, during which he became involved in the student movement.
Das also revealed that he lost his voter ID card in 2017 and obtained a replacement in 2018, reportedly with assistance from Trinamool Congress MLA Manturam Pakhira.
ALSO READ: Tripura CM urges Centre to repair damaged India-Bangladesh border fencing
The situation took a new turn when one of Das’s cousins, also a voter in the Kakdwip constituency, alleged that Das holds voter IDs in both India and Bangladesh.
The controversy has reignited longstanding claims by the West Bengal BJP that the ruling Trinamool Congress is aiding the inclusion of Bangladeshi nationals in the state’s electoral rolls.
The BJP has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
In response to the uproar, the ECI has directed the CEO, West Bengal, to conduct a comprehensive inquiry.
