The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Lucknow district election officer to examine the grievances of 91 residents of Akbar Nagar who alleged that their names were excluded from the Uttar Pradesh Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls after their homes were demolished in September 2023.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the issue involved disputed questions of fact relating to the petitioners’ residence and was not suitable for adjudication in a writ petition before the apex court. However, taking note of the plea filed by Sana Parveen and 90 others, the court asked the district election officer to conduct an enquiry and take appropriate remedial measures.
The court also granted liberty to the petitioners to approach the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court if they do not receive relief from the election authorities.
The residents submitted that they were long-term inhabitants of Akbar Nagar and had been enrolled in voter lists since 2002, with younger members added in subsequent revisions. According to them, their names were excluded during the SIR exercise after the demolition of “unauthorised” constructions in the locality, which had earlier been upheld by the courts.
They contended that the primary reason for exclusion was their current lack of an “identifiable address” following displacement and the ongoing rehabilitation process. The petitioners sought permission to submit enumeration forms through Booth Level Officers so that their right to vote would not be affected despite the loss of permanent housing.
Senior advocate M.R. Shamshad, appearing for the residents, argued that they had been part of a special list during the 2025 revision and should not be disenfranchised due to circumstances arising from state action.
At the outset, the bench indicated that factual verification of residence should be undertaken by local authorities or the High Court.
“We are on the question of factual enquiry. The high court can look into this,” the Chief Justice observed.
Recording the petitioners’ claim that their names were excluded because they no longer had identifiable addresses after the demolition, the court directed the district election officer to ascertain their earlier inclusion in electoral rolls and their present status.
The district election officer has been asked to:
- Verify whether the petitioners were previously enrolled as voters in Akbar Nagar,
- Examine the circumstances of their exclusion during the SIR process, and
- Take remedial steps in accordance with law if they are found eligible.
The matter was disposed of with liberty to the petitioners to seek further relief before the Allahabad High Court if necessary.
