45 lakh SIR cases in Bengal to face judicial scrutiny

Kolkata: Around 45 lakh cases classified as "logical discrepancies" and "unmapped" are likely to be scrutinised and verified by judicial officers - District Judges (DJs) and Additional District Judges (ADJs) - from Monday, in line with the Supreme Court's directive issued on Friday.

The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has sought the deputation of one DJ/ADJ for each of the state's 294 Assembly constituencies to ensure expedited disposal of cases. "We have sought one ADJ/DJ for every constituency for fast disposal," West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal said.

The final number of "logical discrepancies" and unmapped cases will be known after verification continues till Saturday midnight, as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) and EROs complete disposal by 12 am.


Sources said ADJs and DJs will be assisted by micro-observers - both central and state-appointed - on a 50:50 basis.

"Judicial officers will be provided access to a simplified online portal, which is under preparation, with disposal options," Agarwal said, reiterating that no genuine voter would be deleted from the rolls.

Following the Supreme Court's order, Agarwal held a high-level meeting on Saturday with the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, the Director General of Police, Advocate General Kishore Dutta and Additional Solicitor General Ashok Kumar Chakraborty to finalise modalities for implementation.

480 CAPF companies to be deployed
The Centre will deploy 480 companies of central armed police forces in two phases ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

In the first phase, over 240 companies of the CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP and SSB will be deployed on March 1. The remaining 240 companies will arrive on March 10.

The deployment will include 110 companies of the CRPF, 55 of the BSF, 21 of the CISF, and 27 each of the ITBP and SSB.