The Supreme Court announced on Monday that the approximately 60 lakh claims and objections of individuals removed from the voters’ lists in West Bengal as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will be resolved within the day. The court mentioned that the process of verification by judicial officers is expected to be concluded by the end of the day.
Instructing the Election Commission (EC), the court mandated the publication of the final supplementary list for the first phase of the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal by Tuesday, April 7, even if all verified objections do not have digital signatures. The Election Commission assured the bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, that the remaining claims will be promptly addressed and a supplementary electoral roll will be released by the day’s end.
The bench referenced a communication from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, highlighting that judicial officers had resolved over 59.15 lakh claims and objections out of the approximate 60 lakh cases by noon on April 6. Notably, in Malda district, where judicial officers faced disruptions like gherao, around eight lakh cases were successfully adjudicated.
Moreover, the bench disclosed that a former chief justice, as per a letter received by the Chief Justice of Calcutta HC, had agreed to preside over one of the tribunals. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, mentioned that the 19 appellate tribunals established to address challenges against voter deletions were not yet fully operational.
Consequently, the bench directed the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court to constitute a panel of three former judges to establish procedures for these tribunals. It also clarified that the tribunals would have the jurisdiction to scrutinize reasons for inclusion or exclusion from electoral rolls and review documentary evidence, even if not uploaded online.
In the court’s order, it emphasized, “We have requested the tribunals to thoroughly review all documentation provided by judicial officers to dispel any uncertainties,” further adding, “We have urged them to ensure a fair hearing for all parties involved.”