West Bengal SIR: Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Process Next Week
ECI informed the SC that claims of large-scale voter deletion in West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision were overstated and guided by political motives
The Supreme Court on Monday heard a challenge to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process being carried out in West Bengal, with Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, alleging serious procedural irregularities in the exercise.
Addressing the Bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Sibal submitted that “very weird procedures” were being followed in the state, pointing out that communications were allegedly being sent through WhatsApp during the revision process. He argued that the manner in which the SIR was being conducted revealed what he described as “illogical discrepancies”, and urged the court to take note of the same.
Appearing for the Election Commission of India (ECI), counsel sought two weeks’ time to file a counter affidavit responding to the allegations raised by the petitioners.
The Bench directed the ECI to file a common response to all petitions and made it clear that the matter would be taken up for hearing next week.
Last year, in December, ECI had told the Supreme Court that allegations of large-scale deletion of voters in West Bengal during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls are “highly exaggerated” and being pushed to serve “vested political interests.” In a counter-affidavit filed in response to a PIL by Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen, the Commission had defended its June 24 and October 27 SIR orders as constitutionally authorised, long-established, and essential for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls. The ECI cited Article 324 of the Constitution and Sections 15, 21 and 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 to assert its power to conduct such revisions whenever necessary.
The affidavit had underscored that Special Intensive Revisions have been part of India’s electoral framework since the 1950s. The ECI pointed to past nationwide revisions in 1962–66, 1983–87, 1992–93, 2002 and 2004, noting that the present exercise is a continuation of the same constitutional mandate.
Responding to allegations that the SIR will disenfranchise genuine electors, the Commission had said the petition’s claims are “incorrect and denied in totality.” The ECI stressed that no voter can be removed without following due procedure and that the SIR guidelines themselves include safeguards to ensure inclusiveness and prevent wrongful deletions.
The affidavit had also revealed that 99.77 percent of existing electors in West Bengal have already been supplied pre-filled enumeration forms, and 70.14 percent of filled-in forms have been received. These figures, the Commission said, show that allegations of widespread errors or mass disenfranchisement “are highly exaggerated.”
The ECI had reiterated that Booth Level Officers are required to make repeated visits and leave notices when houses are locked, and that they are prohibited from collecting any documents from electors; an additional safeguard introduced in the October 27 Phase-II SIR order. Electors temporarily away from home can have forms submitted by family members or can file online through the ECI portal or mobile app.
The Commission said officials have been specifically directed to ensure elderly persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable electors are given all necessary assistance.
The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC), TMC MPs Dola Sen and Mala Roy had also approached the Supreme Court seeking relief against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
During a brief hearing, the counsel for the WBPCC had submitted that several citizens had approached the party raising concerns about the conduct of the SIR exercise, prompting the move to seek judicial intervention.
Case Title: Mostari Bani v. The Election Commission of India and connected matters
Bench: CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
Hearing Date: January 12, 2026