Gujarat continues to witness alarming incidents involving Booth Level Officers (BLOs), with multiple cases of sudden collapses and a tragic death being reported amid the ongoing SIR (Special Intensive Revision) work for voter list updates. In the latest incident, a 26-year-old BLO and Technical Assistant working with the Surat Municipal Corporation, Dinkal Maheshbhai Shingodawala, died under suspicious circumstances at her residence. The incident has created shockwaves among her family as well as municipal staff, reigniting concerns over excessive workload faced by BLOs across the state. According to initial information, Dinkal was found unconscious inside the bathroom of her home in Masma village of Olpad taluka. She was simultaneously handling duties as a Technical Assistant in the Varachha zone and the heavy responsibilities of SIR work as a BLO, assigned by the election department. Following her collapse, family members rushed her to a private hospital in Surat, where she was declared dead after brief treatment. Her sudden and untimely death has raised serious questions about the work pressure, long hours, and demanding conditions of SIR operations. In recent months, multiple cases of teachers and BLOs suffering heart attacks, collapsing on duty, or even dying by suicide have surfaced in Gujarat, highlighting the mental and physical stress caused by the ongoing SIR drive. Authorities have begun investigating whether Dinkal’s death was triggered by work-related stress and fatigue or if it resulted from an accidental slip, cardiac arrest, or another medical emergency such as a brain hemorrhage. Police have registered a case of accidental death and sent the body for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of death will be known only after the PM report is finalized. Dinkal’s grieving family is devastated, as her death has shattered their household. Staff members within the Surat Municipal Corporation and fellow BLOs across the state are deeply shaken, increasing fear and resentment over the mounting pressure placed on workers. Speaking on the matter, Deputy Collector Neha Savan clarified that Dinkal was indeed serving as a BLO for Booth Number 9 in Shahpore, where she resided in Machiwad. She added that Dinkal was an excellent performer who had already completed nearly 45% of her allotted work. The officer expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it an extremely unfortunate incident. In Ahmedabad, another BLO—identified as Saima Malek Aamna—collapsed during SIR duties in the Gomtipur area under Dani Limda constituency. She had reportedly been given around 1,500 forms for distribution and collection. Saima, a school teacher from Vatva, was on duty from morning to evening. While working intensively in Gomtipur, her health suddenly deteriorated in the afternoon. Locals immediately called an ambulance and shifted her to a hospital, where she is currently under treatment. Her family members were also informed and rushed to be by her side. In Jamnagar, yet another alarming incident occurred when schoolteacher Hiralben Trivedi, serving as a BLO in the 79-Vidhansabha region near Satyam Colony, fainted during field duties. She was promptly moved to GG Government Hospital for treatment. These consecutive incidents across Surat, Ahmedabad and Jamnagar have intensified public and administrative concern about the harsh nature of SIR operations. Many BLOs have been complaining about unrealistic targets, inadequate rest, and excessive fieldwork across multiple localities. With multiple health-related emergencies and a fatality reported within days, calls for intervention from authorities, political leaders, and employee unions have grown louder. As SIR work continues statewide, demands for reduced workload, proper medical screening, and humane working conditions have become urgent to prevent more such tragedies.
Surat BLO Girl’s Suspicious Death; Ahmedabad–Jamnagar BLOs Collapse During SIR Duty
