The Supreme Court witnessed an unusual scene as lawyers and litigants crowded the CJI’s courtroom to watch West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee personally present arguments in the SIR case.
The hearing on the electoral roll revision issue drew wide attention and has been adjourned for further proceedings.
Scores of lawyers, litigants and court staff gathered inside the Supreme Court on Wednesday to witness an unusual and rare moment — a sitting chief minister personally addressing the apex court. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before a Constitution bench in a case related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
The proceedings attracted significant attention as it is uncommon for a chief minister to personally argue a matter before the Supreme Court of India. The courtroom was packed, with many lawyers and litigants keen to witness the hearing.
Wearing a traditional white saree with a black scarf, Banerjee arrived at the Supreme Court premises around 10 am. She was accompanied by her legal team, which included senior advocate and Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee. As per sources, the Chief Minister had formally applied for an entry pass in advance, which was duly approved by the Supreme Court registry.
As soon as she entered the court complex, media persons present at the venue gathered around her, clicking photographs and recording videos on their mobile phones. While entering the elevator, the Trinamool Congress chief did not respond to questions from the media about whether she would personally argue the case before the bench.
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At approximately 10.05 am, Banerjee entered the courtroom of the Chief Justice of India along with her lawyers and initially took a seat in the visitors’ gallery. She remained there for most of the morning proceedings.
Later, at around 12.55 pm, when the CJI-led bench began hearing her petition related to the SIR exercise in West Bengal, Banerjee moved to the first row designated for advocates inside the courtroom. Senior advocate Shyam Divan first made submissions on her behalf.
After Divan concluded a part of his arguments, Banerjee requested the court’s permission to present her arguments personally. The bench granted her request, allowing her to address the court directly.
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The hearing drew widespread attention due to both the political sensitivity of the electoral roll revision issue and the rare spectacle of a chief minister arguing her own case before the apex court.
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court adjourned the matter for further hearing to February 9. Sources indicated that Mamata Banerjee is likely to appear before the Supreme Court again on the next date of hearing, continuing her direct involvement in the case.
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