New Delhi, Apr 24 — The Supreme Court of India on Friday declined to entertain petitions challenging deletion of names from electoral rolls in West Bengal, directing the petitioners to seek relief from appellate tribunals constituted for the purpose.
A bench led by Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, told counsel, “You should present your arguments before the appellate tribunal.”
The petitions were filed by 77 individuals, including 65 employees deployed on election duty, whose names were removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process ahead of polls. Petitioners argued the deletions were arbitrary, noting that duty orders carried their EPIC numbers but their names were later struck off. They also said no show-cause notices were issued.
The bench noted that appeals have already been filed before tribunals and said those bodies would pass “appropriate orders.” It added that issues related to the right to remain on electoral rolls would be examined in due course.
The petitioners had sought directions to the Election Commission of India to allow voting by those whose appeals are pending. The court did not grant that relief.
Earlier directions of the court provide that voters whose appeals are allowed by tribunals can be included through a supplementary electoral roll. However, those with pending appeals are not entitled to vote on that basis alone. Invoking Article 142, the court had said if tribunals dispose of appeals by notified cut-off dates linked to poll phases, such voters may be permitted to vote.
The first phase of polling in West Bengal was held on April 23, with the second phase scheduled for April 29. Results are due on May 4. Nineteen tribunals, constituted under the Calcutta High Court, are hearing the appeals.