Kolkata: Indian pacer Md Shami was served notice by the Election Commission (EC) and directed to appear for a hearing on Monday as part of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) underway in West Bengal.
Shami got back to the EC, informing it of his inability to attend the hearing as he is presently playing for Bengal in Rajkot in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His match at Rajkot will get over on January 8. If Bengal wins, he will be playing another match from January 12. This leaves him a window of three days to appear for the hearing, Shami has informed the authorities.
Shami, is originally from Uttar Pradesh and both his parents were
registered voters in that state. The cricketer moved to West Bengal later and got enrolled as a voter in the Rashbehari Assembly Constituency in Kolkata.
However, his name does not feature in the 2002 voters list. Neither does his parents. This is why, he was called for the hearing on Monday.
Mousumi Das, councillor for Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC)’s Ward No 93 is keeping tabs on developments regarding the ace cricketer.
“Shami resides close to the school in Curzonnagar in Jadavpur where the SIR hearings are on. As he is playing for Bengal, it is our responsibility to help him out during the SIR process,” Das said, as reported by Anandabazar Patrika.
She will get in touch with the concerned Booth Level Officer (BLO) and do whatever is necessary to fix another hearing for Shami, the councillor said.
Sources in the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)’s office said that the cricketer should not face any difficulty during the process as he is an established cricketer and possesses necessary documents.