The Supreme Court of India has said it will seek a report from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court regarding how appellate tribunals are functioning in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
The Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was apprised by the Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat that tribunals were not functioning properly, lawyers were not being allowed to appear, and only online applications were being accepted.
The observation came during a hearing where concerns were raised about the effectiveness of these tribunals, which are meant to handle appeals related to the inclusion or deletion of names from voter lists. It was pointed out before the Bench that despite earlier directions, the tribunals were not operating in a manner that ensured proper access to justice.
Counsel appearing in the matter highlighted several issues, including the lack of adequate facilities for representation and procedural limitations that made it difficult for individuals to pursue their appeals. It was also submitted that these shortcomings were affecting voters who were trying to challenge decisions impacting their electoral status.
Taking note of these submissions, the Court indicated that it would call for a detailed report from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to better understand the situation on the ground. The Bench stressed the importance of ensuring that the appellate mechanism works efficiently, particularly as it plays a critical role in resolving disputes related to voter rolls.
The tribunals were established under the supervision of the High Court to provide a forum for addressing grievances arising from the revision process. Their proper functioning is considered essential to maintaining fairness and transparency in the preparation of electoral rolls.
The matter is expected to be taken up again after the report is received, which will help the Court decide whether further directions are required.
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