Actress Soumitrisha Kundu Sits in AERO’s Chair During Voter List Hearing ; Viral Video Sparks Row, BDO Reprimands Officer

North 24 Parganas : During the hearing phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, actress Soumitrisha Kundu appeared on Tuesday at the hearing camp set up at the ITI College in Chhoto Jagulia after receiving a notice. It has been alleged that upon seeing her there, the AERO gave up his own chair for her. However, the BDO later arrived and reprimanded the AERO over the incident. The video sparked widespread uproar on social media. A section of netizens questioned whether a government official could give up his seat in such a manner to an actress who had come for a hearing. As discussions around the issue intensified, the actress herself finally spoke out on the matter.

The allegation was that after the actress arrived at the hearing center on Tuesday, the AERO present there, Nitaichandra Biswas, upon seeing the actress, got up from his chair and let Soumitrisha sit in it, where she then signed all the necessary documents. However, the BDO of Barasat Block 1, Rajib Dutta Chowdhury, addressed the AERO saying, “Kindly do not allow anyone to break the line here. If you give up your chair, you yourself will be in trouble.” He told the actress, “I have no problem with you. But this is the rule.” This video has gone viral on social media.

Regarding this viral video, Soumitrisha Kundu said, “I was seated at the BDO office first. Later, I was taken to the hearing venue. Perhaps that officer liked me as an actress. He offered the chair for me to sit. Without understanding anything, I sat there and signed the documents.” She further added, “Immediately after that, the BDO told that officer that no one can be allowed to sit in his chair like this. I agree with the BDO. I sat there without understanding. But truly, he cannot let anyone sit in the chair like that.”

The actress claimed that there was no argument or exchange of words between her and the BDO. Soumitrisha added, “Later, the BDO told me not to mind anything. He said that at that moment, he had to scold that officer because he had seated me in his own chair. The BDO also later said why the signing work was not done in the office itself.”Before the actress’s reaction came to light, when contacted, BDO Rajib Dutta Chowdhury said, “The actress had come for the hearing. There were some minor errors. After those were resolved, she left.” He refused to comment further at that time.