May 19, 2026
KOLKATA: “Motab Shaikh and Motab Herul are the same person,” the appellate tribunal ruled on April 5 in its first SIR appeal, accepting the Congress Farakka candidate’s Aadhaar card as proof of identity after the Election Commission provided no reason for his exclusion.Retired judge TS Sivagnanam, while adjudicating Motab’s appeal, said the tribunal sought the specific reasons recorded by the judicial officer for exclusion of Motab’s name. The EC, however, failed to provide any, citing “technical reasons”.In an earlier proceeding regarding SIR in West Bengal in Supreme Court, Justice Joymalya Bagchi pointed out that the software includes a specific column designed to record the “reason” for every voter’s inclusion or exclusion.Justice Bagchi had said: “The architecture of the software provides a field for remarks, where the officers concerned must provide reasons when deciding whether a logical discrepancy justifies deletion or warrants inclusion.”Senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, representing EC, had assured the bench that the entire digital record would be made available to the appellate tribunal.The dispute stemmed from discrepancies between Motab’s name as on the 2002 voters’ list and the first list after SIR on Dec 16 last year.The tribunal examined the entire record placed before the AERO, where Motab’s Aadhaar card proved crucial. While Aadhaar is not a document proving citizenship, it serves as a document of identity. In fact, following the SC judgment in the Bihar SIR case on Sept 8, 2025, Aadhaar was included by EC as a “supporting” document.Applying that logic to Motab’s appeal, the tribunal said his Aadhaar reflects his name as Motab Shaikh. “This would be sufficient to accept the case of the appellant,” it said.The tribunal also took note of his passport (issued in 2018) and driving licence (issued in 2001), both of which identified him as Motab Shaikh, son of Ejabul Shaikh.The tribunal also considered the affidavit he filed for correction after his name was recorded as ‘Motab Herul’ instead of ‘Motab Shaikh’ following the 2002 SIR.Furthermore, he produced the birth certificates of his four children; on the certificate of the eldest, born in 1993, his name was recorded as ‘Motab Shaikh’. Interestingly, all six of Motab’s siblings had cleared the SIR process, with their names appearing on the poll rolls, while Motab’s was the only one excluded.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

KOLKATA: “Motab Shaikh and Motab Herul are the same person,” the appellate tribunal ruled on April 5 in its first SIR appeal, accepting the Congress Farakka candidate’s Aadhaar card as proof of identity after the Election Commission provided no reason for his exclusion.Retired judge TS Sivagnanam, while adjudicating Motab’s appeal, said the tribunal sought the specific reasons recorded by the judicial officer for exclusion of Motab’s name. The EC, however, failed to provide any, citing “technical reasons”.In an earlier proceeding regarding SIR in West Bengal in Supreme Court, Justice Joymalya Bagchi pointed out that the software includes a specific column designed to record the “reason” for every voter’s inclusion or exclusion.Justice Bagchi had said: “The architecture of the software provides a field for remarks, where the officers concerned must provide reasons when deciding whether a logical discrepancy justifies deletion or warrants inclusion.”Senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, representing EC, had assured the bench that the entire digital record would be made available to the appellate tribunal.The dispute stemmed from discrepancies between Motab’s name as on the 2002 voters’ list and the first list after SIR on Dec 16 last year.The tribunal examined the entire record placed before the AERO, where Motab’s Aadhaar card proved crucial. While Aadhaar is not a document proving citizenship, it serves as a document of identity. In fact, following the SC judgment in the Bihar SIR case on Sept 8, 2025, Aadhaar was included by EC as a “supporting” document.Applying that logic to Motab’s appeal, the tribunal said his Aadhaar reflects his name as Motab Shaikh. “This would be sufficient to accept the case of the appellant,” it said.The tribunal also took note of his passport (issued in 2018) and driving licence (issued in 2001), both of which identified him as Motab Shaikh, son of Ejabul Shaikh.The tribunal also considered the affidavit he filed for correction after his name was recorded as ‘Motab Herul’ instead of ‘Motab Shaikh’ following the 2002 SIR.Furthermore, he produced the birth certificates of his four children; on the certificate of the eldest, born in 1993, his name was recorded as ‘Motab Shaikh’. Interestingly, all six of Motab’s siblings had cleared the SIR process, with their names appearing on the poll rolls, while Motab’s was the only one excluded.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

KOLKATA: “Motab Shaikh and Motab Herul are the same person,” the appellate tribunal ruled on April 5 in its first SIR appeal, accepting the Congress Farakka candidate’s Aadhaar card as proof of identity after the Election Commission provided no reason for his exclusion.Retired judge TS Sivagnanam, while adjudicating Motab’s appeal, said the tribunal sought the…

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Libra Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Don’t start new investments or risky ventures today

Libra Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Don’t start new investments or risky ventures today

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Today calls for a robust work ethic, where achievement comes from consistent dedication and perseverance, particularly in administrative roles. While nurturing relationships brings comfort, be cautious about making commitments you can’t keep. Professional growth relies heavily on accountability and a strong work commitment. Work comes first today, whether you like it or not. The Moon…

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Serena Williams: Serena Williams posts rare family Easter photos with Alexis Ohanian, Olympia and Adira and reveals why motherhood changed her life | International Sports News

Serena Williams: Serena Williams posts rare family Easter photos with Alexis Ohanian, Olympia and Adira and reveals why motherhood changed her life | International Sports News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Serena Williams posts rare family Easter photos with Alexis Ohanian, Olympia and Adira and reveals why motherhood changed her life (Image via Getty) Serena Williams gave fans a rare look into her family life this week, and it quickly caught attention. On April 6, the retired tennis star shared simple, happy Easter moments with her…

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NEW DELHI: BJP Tuesday flayed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for his “illiterate” barb at those supporting the governing party in Gujarat and other states, as home minister Amit Shah retorted that the country is looking to decimate the opposition party in elections for remarks it should be “ashamed of”.Addressing rallies in Assam, Shah slammed Kharge for likening RSS and BJP to a venomous snake Muslims should finish off to survive. This is not language befitting democracy, he said, alleging Congress under Rahul Gandhi has become a threat to democratic system.Kharge at a poll meeting in Kerala had praised its voters for their education standards and said BJP can “fool” people in Gujarat and other states as they are “illiterate”. In another meeting, he, in an apparent address to Muslims, said, “Quran allows you to kill a venomous snake near you, even if it means breaking your namaz. RSS and BJP are venomous snake, which if you don’t kill then you won’t survive.”Conduct of Congress netas has fallen since Rahul became the party’s face, Shah said, asking voters in Assam to give Congress a befitting reply. “Vote in such a way that Congress is not visible even through a microscope.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

NEW DELHI: BJP Tuesday flayed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for his “illiterate” barb at those supporting the governing party in Gujarat and other states, as home minister Amit Shah retorted that the country is looking to decimate the opposition party in elections for remarks it should be “ashamed of”.Addressing rallies in Assam, Shah slammed Kharge for likening RSS and BJP to a venomous snake Muslims should finish off to survive. This is not language befitting democracy, he said, alleging Congress under Rahul Gandhi has become a threat to democratic system.Kharge at a poll meeting in Kerala had praised its voters for their education standards and said BJP can “fool” people in Gujarat and other states as they are “illiterate”. In another meeting, he, in an apparent address to Muslims, said, “Quran allows you to kill a venomous snake near you, even if it means breaking your namaz. RSS and BJP are venomous snake, which if you don’t kill then you won’t survive.”Conduct of Congress netas has fallen since Rahul became the party’s face, Shah said, asking voters in Assam to give Congress a befitting reply. “Vote in such a way that Congress is not visible even through a microscope.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: BJP Tuesday flayed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for his “illiterate” barb at those supporting the governing party in Gujarat and other states, as home minister Amit Shah retorted that the country is looking to decimate the opposition party in elections for remarks it should be “ashamed of”.Addressing rallies in Assam, Shah slammed Kharge…

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Samay Raina takes digs at Sunil Pal, B Praak, Mukesh Khanna amid India’s Got Latent fallout: ‘Hum Kashmiri cross fire me hi marte hain’

Samay Raina takes digs at Sunil Pal, B Praak, Mukesh Khanna amid India’s Got Latent fallout: ‘Hum Kashmiri cross fire me hi marte hain’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Comedian Samay Raina has opened up about the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent, taking sharp digs at critics including Sunil Pal, B Praak, and Mukesh Khanna, while defending his style of comedy in his latest special Still Alive. Talking about the controversy, Samay claimed that an FIR was filed against Ranveer Allahbadia for stepping outside…

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Scientists build a quantum battery that charges using light in seconds

Scientists build a quantum battery that charges using light in seconds

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

The CSIRO, RMIT and the University of Melbourne have successfully built a quantum battery prototype from theory into practice, meaning both energy and physics sciences have now made this transition to energy technology. Whereas traditional electrochemical cells rely on chemical reactions for their energy storage, this organic battery uses principles of quantum mechanics, specifically superposition…

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ICE agents shoot man in California wanted in El Salvador; suspect tried to run over officers

ICE agents shoot man in California wanted in El Salvador; suspect tried to run over officers

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Federal immigration officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot a man on Tuesday morning during a law enforcement action in Stanislaus County, California, authorities said. The shooting occurred during a vehicle stop along Interstate 5 near Sperry Avenue in Patterson.The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the incident involved ICE agents and that…

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Atmanirbhar atom: Why India’s PFBR at Kalpakkam, a ‘breeder reactor’ that produces its own fuel, is a game-changer

Atmanirbhar atom: Why India’s PFBR at Kalpakkam, a ‘breeder reactor’ that produces its own fuel, is a game-changer

Vamsikrishna012 mins mins

NEW DELHI: India on Monday made a decisive breakthrough in its nuclear energy programme as the indigenously developed 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam attained criticality at 08.25 pm on April 6, signalling the start of a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. The milestone represents one of the final and most crucial…

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