Supreme Court warns states not to obstruct SIR proceedings: Special Intensive Revision in Bengal extended for another week

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has said that the Election Commission's SIR process will not be allowed to be disrupted. All states should clearly understand this. A bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N.V. Anjaria, while demanding strict compliance, assured that it was prepared to pass orders or provide clarifications if the states required any interim instructions.

The court gave the instructions while considering the petitions filed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others regarding the SIR in Bengal. The states will be instructed to maintain law and order. Necessary guidelines will be issued to ensure the smooth conduct of the process. The court's response came when the Election Commission informed that the Bengal government is not cooperating in any way. The Commission pointed out that officers are being attacked widely. They are being threatened. Mamata's provocative speeches are fueling the violence. The Commission also informed that the government is not taking action despite recommending the suspension of some officials who are found to be culpable. The court ordered that the Bengal DGP should give an explanation on the complaints of the Election Commission. An affidavit should be filed. The Commission was given the freedom to remove those who are not doing their job properly and appoint new officials.

The commission has decided to publish the final voter list in Bengal on the 14th. However, the Supreme Court has directed that the process be extended by a week from the 14th. It is essential to allow more time to examine the complaints of those who have been removed from the voter list and take a decision. The court criticised the commission's action of sending notices for minor errors, such as spelling mistakes in the name.

Micro observers to help

8550 Group B government officials were deployed to the commission for SIR work. They should report to the district election officers by Tuesday evening. The court ordered that the Bengal government ensure this. Qualified people should be identified from among them and given two days of training and made micro observers. They should not take decisions on voters' complaints all by themselves. Only the electoral registration officers have the authority to do so. The job of micro observers should only be to assist the officers.

Court praises Mamata

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had appeared in person to present arguments against the SIR process in Bengal. The Supreme Court praised Mamata's appearance, stating it demonstrated "trust and faith in the constitution and its institutions". They dismissed the objection from Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha Vice-President Satish Kumar Aggarwal, who had argued her appearance was "constitutionally improper" and "legally untenable". The court urged against politicising the matter.