Archive · 9 Oct 2026
42 Former Judges Defend Election Commission Amid SIR Protests
Forty-two former judges and retired officials wrote a letter about India’s Election Commission and other public institutions.
They said people have a right to criticize these institutions.
They also warned that serious accusations should be supported by evidence.
The letter defended a voter-list review called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, as a lawful process.
The signatories said the review can help remove outdated or repeated names and include eligible voters.
Opposition leaders disagree with how the SIR is being carried out and have called for the chief election commissioner to resign.
They have held protests in Delhi, and some leaders were detained.
The former officials urged people to take complaints to the proper authorities and check claims carefully.
One report said about 13.3 crore names had been deleted, though that figure was not stated across all the reports.
An open letter dated October 7, signed by 42 former judges and retired constitutional office-holders, warned of what signatories called a sustained campaign against constitutional institutions.
The signatories said criticism is a democratic right but warned that unsupported accusations such as “vote theft” could erode public trust.
They defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as a lawful voter-roll exercise, citing electoral law and safeguards including notice, hearings, objections and appeals.
INDIA bloc leaders allege irregularities in the SIR and have demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; opposition demonstrations took place in Delhi, with some leaders detained.
The letter urged political parties to submit evidence through legal channels and called on media and citizens to verify allegations; one report put voter deletions during the SIR at about 13.3 crore.
- Who
- Forty-two former judges and retired constitutional office-holders; INDIA bloc opposition leaders; Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- The former officials issued a letter defending the Election Commission and SIR, while opposition leaders protested alleged irregularities and sought Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- The letter was dated October 7, 2026; reports describe protests over several consecutive days around October 8.
- Where
- New Delhi, including protests near Parliament and Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- The signatories said unsupported allegations could weaken trust in institutions; opposition leaders allege irregularities in the SIR and seek accountability.
Former officials’ position
Opposition’s position
Allegations against the Election Commission
Former officials’ position
The signatories said claims of “vote theft” had not been substantiated and warned that denigrating constitutional authorities could undermine public trust.
Opposition’s position
INDIA bloc leaders allege electoral wrongdoing and irregularities in the SIR and have demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Special Intensive Revision
Former officials’ position
The signatories described the SIR as lawful and within the Election Commission’s authority, intended to maintain accurate voter rolls with procedural safeguards.
Opposition’s position
Opposition parties challenge the handling of the SIR and have protested over alleged irregularities.
How complaints should be pursued
Former officials’ position
The former officials urged parties to present evidence to the Election Commission and courts, and asked media and citizens to verify claims.
Opposition’s position
Opposition leaders have used public protests and called for accountability from the Election Commission.
- Letter signatories
- 42 former judges and retired constitutional office-holders
- Letter date
- October 7, 2026
- Electoral-roll exercise
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Law cited
- Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
- Reported voter deletions
- Approximately 13.3 crore, according to one report
- Letter’s appeal
- Take grievances to the Election Commission and courts with evidence; verify claims before reporting or sharing them
Sources
SIR Row: Ex-Top Judges Question Protest Against EC & CEC | Can EC Clear Legal Tangle? WATCH
SIR row: 42 former judges write open letter, warn against bid to undermine ECI
'Don't Delegitimise Democracy': Ex-Judges Back EC, Call 'Vote Theft' Claims a Campaign Without Evidence
42 ex-judges write open letter, express concern over allegations against Election Commission
42 Former Judges Defend Election Commission, Back SIR Amid Opposition Protests
Former Judges, Constitutional Office-Holders Warn Against Campaign Targeting ECI
42 retired judges in open letter defend Election Commission amid SIR row: 'Calculated campaign without evidence'
42 Former Judges Defend Election Commission, Warn Against 'Vote Theft' Allegations Amid SIR Row
Judges have right sentiment: NDA leaders on open letter of 42 former judges on INDIA Bloc protests
