CJI Surya Kant Backs West Bengal SIR, says "Won't allow impediments"

The Supreme Court on February 9, 2026 sent a strong signal backing the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, while firmly cautioning the state government against any obstruction in the process.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and NV Anjaria, made it clear that the court would not permit impediments to the SIR exercise, which is currently underway in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

“Whatever orders or clarifications are required, we will issue. But we will not allow any impediment to the SIR process. This must be understood,” the Chief Justice said during the hearing.

The observations came while the court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the SIR process in West Bengal, including a petition filed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government has questioned the manner in which the voter roll revision is being carried out, raising concerns over potential deletions and the deployment of micro-observers.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court also extended the deadline for completion of the SIR exercise in West Bengal by one week.

The Bench asked the West Bengal government to extend full cooperation to the Election Commission and questioned delays in providing manpower requested by the poll body. The court specifically flagged the timing and manner in which the state had communicated the availability of officers for the exercise, indicating dissatisfaction with the response.

The court’s firm stance comes against the backdrop of serious allegations placed on record by the Election Commission earlier this month. In an affidavit filed on February 6, the ECI informed the Supreme Court that the SIR process in West Bengal had been hampered by lack of cooperation from the state administration, including the police, and by instances of intimidation and obstruction faced by election officials on the ground.

The Election Commission alleged that despite repeated requests, adequate officers were not provided by the state government, compelling the Commission to deploy micro-observers from outside the state as a safeguard. According to the ECI, this step was taken solely to ensure the integrity of the revision exercise and to prevent the exclusion of eligible voters.

The affidavit also referred to reports from electoral observers documenting incidents of violence, obstruction, and damage to official vehicles during SIR-related field visits in parts of the state. The Commission asserted that such incidents created an atmosphere of fear and directly interfered with statutory duties being performed under the Constitution and electoral law.

Today, the Supreme Court took note of these submissions and questioned the West Bengal government on why the names of thousands of officers were communicated belatedly, despite earlier directions of the court.

The Bench also emphasised that the Election Commission was constitutionally empowered to conduct voter roll revisions and that such exercises were fundamental to maintaining the integrity of elections. While the court clarified that it would issue appropriate directions and safeguards where necessary, it underlined that halting or obstructing the SIR process was not an option.

Top court has placed the onus on the West Bengal government and its administrative machinery, including the police, to ensure that the revision exercise proceeds smoothly and without interference.

The matter remains pending before the court.

Case Title: Mostari Bapu v. Election Commission of India & Anr. (with connected matters)

Court: Supreme Court of India

Bench: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice Vipul M Pancholi

Date of Hearing / Order: February 9, 2026