104-Year-Old Sheikh Ibrahim's Long-Awaited Victory: Recognized as Legal Citizen and Voter

Pradip Chattopadhyay, Burdwan: He has seen the Second World War, the construction of the Howrah Bridge, and even Gandhiji's Quit India Movement. Even before that country became independent, he had to fight for the status of an'under-trial'voter in his own country. Finally, he was relieved. After a long struggle, Sheikh Ibrahim, a resident of Batrishbigha village in Jamalpur 1 panchayat of Purba Bardhaman, got his right to vote back. Along with his two sons and daughters-in-law, he was also recognized as a legal citizen of the country and a voter. On 29 January, Sheikh Ibrahim was sent a physical notice to the BDO office for a hearing in the SIR phase of Bengal. When the 104-year-old BDO arrived at the office, there was a ruckus. Later, the representatives of the Election Commission went to his house and checked the documents. Despite this, he was disappointed as his name was marked as an'under-trial'in the final voter list. He said, "Even at the age of 104, is this my crime?"