Today, On 13th April, The Supreme Court said individuals with pending appeals against exclusion from voter lists cannot be allowed to vote in the upcoming West Bengal elections. The Court added, “We cannot create a situation where we burden the appellate tribunal judges,” while refusing relief.
Today, On 13th April, The Supreme Court observed that the Election Commission of India prepared a list of doubtful voters due to a logical discrepancy during the Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal. The Court noted that voters were left sandwiched between two constitutional authorities, raising serious concerns about fairness in the electoral process.
Supreme Court Judge Justice BV Nagarathna BV Nagarathna said institutions like the Election Commission of India must remain independent, noting at Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture that insulated bodies such as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and Finance Commission of India safeguard neutrality.
The Election Commission removed several top West Bengal bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary and DGP, just hours after announcing the state’s poll schedule. The move triggered strong protests from the Trinamool Congress, which accused the BJP of misusing government machinery ahead of elections.
Today, On 9th March, The Supreme Court agreed to consider a plea challenging the deletion of electors from the electoral rolls during West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR). A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of submissions by senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy.
