Supreme Court to Review Calcutta High Court’s Tribunal Operations Amid Electoral Roll Concerns

The Supreme Court of India announced on Monday that it would request a detailed report from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court regarding the functioning of appellate tribunals responsible for handling electoral roll revisions in West Bengal. This decision comes in light of allegations suggesting that these tribunals are failing to operate effectively, as highlighted by Advocate Devadatt Kamat during court proceedings.

Kamat, representing a group of individuals whose names were removed from the voter list in the ongoing electoral roll revision, emphasized to the bench that the appellate tribunals have been largely inactive. He pointed out that legal representatives are reportedly being barred from participating in the hearings, which are instead relying solely on applications submitted through internet and computer-based systems. This limitation has raised concerns about fair representation and legal recourse for affected voters.

Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed frustration over the frequency of cases related to the electoral roll revision being brought before the court, indicating a sense of urgency and the need for resolution in these matters. Kamat further informed the bench that many of the court’s previous orders were not being adhered to, prompting him to file a request for expedited hearings. His aim is to ensure that if their appeals are successful, the petitioners’ names can be included in the supplementary electoral roll.

In a related development, the Supreme Court instructed the Election Commission to prepare a supplementary electoral roll for West Bengal, which would incorporate the names of voters whose appeals against their deletions have been accepted. This directive is seen as a crucial step in addressing the grievances raised by voters and restoring their rights to participate in the electoral process.

The issue of electoral roll accuracy is particularly salient in West Bengal, where political tensions run high and the integrity of the electoral process is a matter of public concern. As the court continues to monitor the situation, the actions taken by the Calcutta High Court’s tribunals will be under scrutiny, with many citizens keenly awaiting the outcome of these legal proceedings.

Source: scroll.in