Railways initiates inquiry against Swapna Barman after she becomes TMC candidate from Rajganj

Asian Games gold medalist Swapna Barman has run into trouble after being announced as a candidate of the Trinamool Congress from the Rajganj Assembly constituency in Jalpaiguri district. The Indian Railways has reportedly started a disciplinary inquiry against the athlete for joining a political party while still being a railway employee. Barman had been working as a Staff and Welfare Inspector in the Alipurduar Division since 2020. According to Barman, she submitted her resignation from the Railways on March 16 in order to contest the elections. However, she alleged that the resignation has not yet been accepted, which may create complications in filing her nomination papers.

The Railways has also reportedly filed a complaint of breach of service discipline against her for attending a political meeting on March 9. Since her resignation has not been formally processed and she has not received the required No Objection Certificate (NOC), uncertainty remains over her eligibility to contest the polls. Barman has approached the circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court seeking intervention. The court has asked her to resubmit the resignation letter and directed the Railways to consider it within 48 hours. If the resignation is not accepted within this period, questions may arise regarding her candidature.

Meanwhile, the athlete has also been going through a difficult personal phase. Barman recently lost her father, who had been ill for some time and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Siliguri. Due to the bereavement, she has not yet fully joined the election campaign.