3 weeks ago
SC directs EC on Bengal voter roll appeal data
Grown-ups keep a big list of the people allowed to vote.
During a special check in West Bengal, many names were taken off that list.
The people removed were allowed to complain to special courts called tribunals.
But those tribunals were very slow and had decided almost none of the complaints.
A leader named Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the Supreme Court for help.
The Supreme Court told the Election Commission to share how many appeals the tribunals had decided.
The Court said it could not tell the tribunals exactly when to finish, but it wants to make sure they keep working.
Some people also lost their ration food benefits because their names were removed.
The Court said that issue must go to a different court, the Calcutta High Court.
Everyone will meet again on August 25 to check on the progress.
The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India to furnish details on appeals decided by tribunals handling deletions from West Bengal's electoral rolls.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the 'quantum of disposals' is key, as merely filing an appeal is not enough.
The court refused to fix a timeline for disposal but said it would examine logistical issues such as accessibility for people in distant areas.
Grievances over denial of PDS and ration benefits to deleted voters were referred to the Calcutta High Court as a separate cause of action.
The plea by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was tagged with pending matters and listed for the next hearing on August 25.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India (a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana), the Election Commission of India, and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
- What
- The Court directed the Election Commission to provide data on appeals decided by the appellate tribunals handling deletions from West Bengal's electoral rolls, while refusing to fix a timeline for their disposal.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India, concerning West Bengal.
- When
- The hearing took place on a Tuesday; the next hearing is scheduled for August 25.
- Why
- To ensure transparency and speed in the disposal of appeals by tribunals set up for voters deleted during the Special Intensive Revision, an exercise held under court supervision amid allegations of irregularities and a 'trust deficit'.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court of India (CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana)
- Petitioner
- Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
- Order
- Election Commission to furnish details on the quantum of appeal disposals by the tribunals
- Timeline
- Court said it cannot fix a timeline for tribunal decisions
- Appeals decided
- Under 1 percent, as submitted by petitioner's counsel Rauf Rahim
- Tribunals established
- Ordered on March 10, headed by former high court judges
- PDS/ration denial
- Referred to Calcutta High Court as a separate cause of action
- Next hearing
- August 25
Quotes
Senior Advocate D S Naidu
Counsel for the Election Commission of India
“You need to give us the quantum of disposals so far because just filing an appeal is not enough. What is happening to the appeal also has to be seen.”
rediff.com
“"Let the Election Commission of India furnish details on the quantum of disposals of appeals by the appellate tribunals."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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