The Supreme Court today heard the case regarding the special intensive revision of the voter list in West Bengal. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present among the lawyers. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi heard the matter. The Chief Justice stated that he had received information from two of his fellow judges from West Bengal, who explained the process of issuing pass certificates, and based on this understanding, the issue was addressed. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the case, explained that the court had previously directed the display of a list of discrepancies. The Chief Justice remarked that the court had been informed that the list was not the only means of communication and that individual notices were also being issued to the concerned individuals.
3.2 million voters not listed - Bengal government
Advocate Shyam Divan urged the court to consider the petitioner's brief note, stating that only four days remained to complete the process. He stated that 3.2 million voters are not listed, 13.6 million names are on the list with logical discrepancies, and 6.3 million cases are still pending hearing. He also pointed out that 8,300 micro-observers have been appointed, which is not a category envisaged under the Constitution. Divan further stated that many approved documents, including residence certificates, Aadhaar, and OBC certificates, are being rejected, forcing people to stand in queues for four to five hours.
Debate between the Judge and the Lawyers
Justice Joymalya Bagchi remarked that Mr. Dwivedi would be pronounced "Dibedi" in Bengal, pointing out that the Bengali language lacks the "va" sound. The Chief Justice responded that at least his name would be pronounced correctly, to which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee interrupted, saying that this would not be the case. During the hearing, senior advocate Shyam Divan pointed out that the discrepancies in names were wasting a significant portion of the limited time and causing serious inconvenience to voters. The Chief Justice asked Rakesh Dwivedi, senior advocate for the Election Commission of India, whether some discrepancies arise due to variations in local dialects and pronunciations, and whethera such problems occur throughout the country.
Mamata Banerjee's allegation: SIR is being used only to remove names
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that she was citing concrete examples and could even show photographs published in leading newspapers. She stated that the SIR process is being used only to remove names. Citing an example, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that when a daughter moves to her in-laws' home after marriage, questions arise as to why she is using her husband's surname. According to her, the names of many such women have been unilaterally removed from the voter list. She further stated that the names of poor people who purchase flats or change residences are also being removed. CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that despite these circumstances, officials are violating the court's previous directives by dismissing such cases as "mismapping."
Bengal is being targeted, we are not getting justice - Mamata
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told the court that the people of Bengal have found relief after the court's order to recognize Aadhaar cards. She explained that documents like residence certificates and caste certificates are accepted in other states, whereas only Bengal is being targeted on the eve of elections. CM Mamata Banerjee told the Supreme Court that she is a resident of this state and is grateful for the court's kindness. She said that when justice "cries out behind closed doors," it seems that justice is not available anywhere. The Chief Minister informed the court that six letters have been written to the Election Commission. Calling herself a bonded laborer, she emphasized that she is not fighting for any political party, but for a larger cause.
'Micro-observers appointed from BJP-ruled states to remove names'
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that voter registration officers (EROs) have been effectively stripped of their powers, and micro-observers from BJP-ruled states have been appointed to remove names. She claimed that these micro-observers are removing names while sitting in their offices without proper verification. She further alleged that permission to fill Form 6 was not given, resulting in the removal of millions of names. According to her, many living individuals have been wrongly declared dead. She termed these actions anti-women. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that 58 lakh names were deleted, and they had no option to appeal. Only Bengal is being targeted – to crush the people of West Bengal. To this, the Chief Justice said that perhaps micro-observers would not be needed after the availability of officers. The Chief Justice told the Election Commission to also instruct their officers to be sensitive and not issue notices...
Mamata calls the Election Commission a 'WhatsApp Commission.'
In the Supreme Court, Mamata Banerjee called the Election Commission a 'WhatsApp Commission' and said that the Election Commission was issuing informal orders through WhatsApp. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said during this time that elections are being held in four states, after 24 years, what was the hurry to do all this in three months? When the harvest season is going on...when people are traveling...more than 100 people have died! BLOs have died, and many are hospitalized. Why is SIR not being done in Assam? Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee further said that 58 lakh names were deleted, and they had no option to appeal. Only Bengal is being targeted – to crush the people of West Bengal. To this, the Chief Justice said that perhaps micro-observers would not be needed after the availability of officers. On this, the Chief Justice told the Election Commission to instruct its officers to be sensitive and not issue notices...
Hearing on Bengal SIR on February 9, the CM expresses gratitude
The Chief Justice said that a practical solution could be found and directed that the state should submit a list of Group B officers who can be relieved and made available by Monday. The Chief Justice directed that notices be issued on both petitions. During the hearing, the Solicitor General submitted that there was another petition in which the Election Commission of India had already filed an affidavit, and the issues raised therein would be relevant to the present case. The Chief Justice directed that the said matter also be heard on Monday and said that the court would hear all related issues on that day. CM Mamata Banerjee urged the court to protect the rights of the people and expressed her gratitude to the bench. The Chief Minister wished the bench headed by the Chief Justice well for giving her the opportunity to argue and urged the Supreme Court to save democracy.
Demand to quash ECI's SIR-related orders
In her petition, trained advocate Mamata Banerjee had sought to quash all SIR-related orders and all consequential directions issued by the Election Commission on June 24, 2025, and October 27, 2025. She had also filed a writ petition seeking a mandamus directing the Election Commission to conduct the upcoming assembly elections based on the unchanged 2025 electoral roll. She argues that the SIR's reliance on the 2002 base list and its cumbersome verification process threatens the voting rights of genuine voters.
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