3 weeks ago
Supreme Court seeks Bengal tribunal case disposal data from EC
The Supreme Court is the biggest court in India, and it makes sure that officials follow the rules.
In Bengal, people were upset because names were being removed from voting lists after something called SIR.
So the court set up 19 special groups, called tribunals, to hear complaints from people.
A leader named Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said these tribunals were too slow.
His lawyer said only about 1 out of every 100 complaints had been finished.
The Supreme Court asked the Election Commission of India to tell them how many cases had been solved.
The court said it wants to make sure everyone gets a fair chance to be heard.
It also talked about holding hearings online so people who live far away don't have to travel.
The court did not give the tribunals a deadline yet, but it wants to improve the process.
The Election Commission will give its report at the next meeting on August 25.
The Supreme Court of India directed the Election Commission of India to file a status report on how many appeals before 19 Bengal tribunals for voter inclusion/exclusion grievances post-SIR have been disposed of.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury filed the petition; his counsel, senior advocate Rauf Rahim, told the court that only about 1 per cent of appeals had been disposed of so far.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, declined to fix timelines for the tribunals but said it would lay down steps to streamline the disposal process.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the Election Commission should revisit and restructure the tribunal 'architecture of disposal' if performance appears wanting in volume and time taken.
The court raised the possibility of online hearings and noted access problems for litigants in far-flung areas; the Election Commission will submit its report by the next hearing on August 25.
- Who
- A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, the Election Commission of India, and petitioner Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a Congress leader.
- What
- The court directed the Election Commission to report on how many appeals before 19 Bengal tribunals handling SIR-related voter exclusion and inclusion grievances have been disposed of.
- Where
- At the Supreme Court of India, concerning 19 tribunals in Bengal, with additional tribunals sought for Murshidabad and Malda.
- When
- On a Tuesday, with the Election Commission required to file its status report by the next date of hearing on August 25.
- Why
- Because only about 1 per cent of appeals were reportedly disposed of, raising concerns about due process, performance of the tribunals, and access for litigants in far-flung areas.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana
- Tribunals involved
- 19 tribunals in Bengal
- Claimed disposal rate
- About 1 per cent of appeals
- Petitioner
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress leader)
- Additional tribunals sought
- Murshidabad and Malda
- Next hearing
- August 25
- Election Commission's task
- Collate data and file a status report on tribunal disposal rates
Quotes
Senior Advocate Rauf Rahim
Legal counsel for Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
“"We cannot fix any timelines for the tribunals… Pursuant to our orders, the tribunals have been created and we need to see how we can ensure that due process is followed… Merely filing an appeal may not satisfy a litigant."”
telegraphindia.com
“"In case the tribunals are found wanting, necessary orders will be passed, and we will request you to revisit and restructure the architecture of disposal."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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