The West Bengal government on Tuesday, 28 July initiated a formal re-verification of the Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate held by Trinamool Congress legislator Sangeeta Roy, who represents the reserved Sitai constituency in Cooch Behar district. A notice was served by the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Sitai block on the instructions of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), directing Roy to appear for re-verification of her caste credentials.

Background: How Roy Came to Hold the Sitai Seat

Sitai is a constituency that has long been reserved for Scheduled Castes. The seat was previously held by Roy's husband, who served as a Trinamool Congress legislator before resigning following his election as a Lok Sabha member from Cooch Behar in 2024. He has since moved to the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI).

Following her husband's resignation, Sangeeta Roy contested and won the Sitai by-polls in 2024. She was subsequently re-elected from the same seat in the West Bengal assembly elections held earlier this year, making her tenure a subject of heightened scrutiny given the constituency's reserved status.

How the Complaint Reached the Courts

Allegations regarding Roy's caste certificate first surfaced publicly during the assembly elections earlier this year. A formal complaint was lodged at the SDO's office by Asutosh Baram, a local complainant. When the complaint did not yield a substantive response, Baram approached the Calcutta High Court, which is reported to have set the process in motion that led to Tuesday's notice.

When BDO staff visited Roy's residence on Tuesday afternoon to serve the notice, she was reportedly not present. Officials then pasted a copy of the notice on the wall of her residence. Roy was not available for comment, and no response had emerged from either faction of the Trinamool Congress legislative party in the state assembly at the time of reporting.

Roy's Position Within a Fractured Trinamool

Roy is currently aligned with what is described as the 'rebel but majority' faction within Trinamool Congress, led by expelled legislator Ritabrat Banerjee. Despite this factional alignment, Roy has publicly maintained that she continues to regard former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as her supreme leader — a position that reflects the complex internal dynamics within the party ahead of any potential reconciliation or disciplinary proceedings.

What Happens Next

The re-verification process will now proceed through the SDO's office. If Roy's SC certificate is found invalid, it could have significant legal and electoral consequences, including the potential disqualification of her membership from the reserved Sitai seat. The outcome is likely to be closely watched by both the ruling establishment and opposition parties in West Bengal, given the broader political context surrounding the Trinamool Congress's internal divisions.