West Bengal SIR: Will not allow anyone to create impediment in electoral roll revision exercise, warns SC

As the SIR battle heats up in West Bengal, the Supreme Court said on Monday that it will not allow anyone to create obstacles in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state.

"Will not allow anyone to create impediment in electoral roll revision exercise," the SC said.

The top court further stressed that the exercise must be allowed to proceed smoothly.


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Moreover, the bench directed the West Bengal Director General of Police to file an affidavit explaining the steps taken to maintain law and order and ensure that the process is not disrupted.

The court was hearing pleas filed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others challenging the Election Commission’s decision to carry out a special revision of the voter lists in the state.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the poll panel, told the SC bench that it was important to underline that the Constitution of India applies equally to all states.

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"Message must go that Constitution of India applies to all states," he said.

West Bengal SIR: Mamata's allegations & CEO's request

The petitioners have raised concerns over the manner in which the exercise is being conducted.

The TMC leader has alleged that several voters were placed in the ECI’s “logical discrepancy” list over minor spelling or dialect-related variations in their names, and that objection notices were served without giving adequate reasons.

She has also contended that the state is being unfairly targeted, claiming the focus of the exercise appears to be on deleting names rather than correcting errors or including eligible voters.

The chief minister had earlier appeared in person before the court to press these concerns, following which the bench sought a response from the poll panel.

Separately, amid the ongoing revision, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal earlier sought a seven-day extension from the Election Commission to complete pending hearings in some districts.

The original deadline for hearings under the Bengal SIR ended on February 7, with the final electoral roll scheduled to be published on February 14.

However, officials indicated that the final publication is now likely to be delayed, with February 21 emerging as the tentative new date.