SC dismisses plea challenging removal of names from voter list prepared under SIR in West Bengal

The Supreme Court has directed that security cover for judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal must continue until the completion of the upcoming Assembly elections. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that the security cannot be withdrawn without prior permission of the court. The direction comes in the backdrop of the 1st April incident in Malda, where judicial officers were allegedly held captive by a mob. The court also asked the National Investigation Agency to clarify whether those arrested in connection with the incident had any political background. 
 
The apex court appreciated the efforts of nearly 700 judicial officers who handled over 60 lakh claims and objections in the revision exercise. Meanwhile, 19 appellate tribunals have begun functioning to hear appeals related to voter list exclusions. The court declined to interfere with the ongoing electoral process, stating that additional directions could burden the system. The Election Commission of India and the West Bengal government have been asked to ensure full cooperation in maintaining security and facilitating the process.