The Supreme Court will hear key petitions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and freezing of electoral rolls in West Bengal before the Assembly elections. The case also covers the “gherao” of judicial officers, with the Court already ordering an NIA probe.
The Election Commission of India told the Supreme Court that its officials faced threats, violence and zero police cooperation during the SIR process in West Bengal. The ECI cited statements like “Will break ECI’s legs” and alleged intimidation by the Mamata Banerjee government, warning of a hostile environment for election officials.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee personally argued before the Supreme Court, alleging that the SIR of electoral rolls is being misused to target Bengal and harass genuine voters. The top court stressed that “genuine persons must remain on the electoral rolls” and sought responses from the Election Commission.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may attend the Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday in cases challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The petitions allege arbitrariness and warn that the exercise could lead to mass voter disenfranchisement.
