The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking judicial relief for electors who have filed appeals before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) appellate tribunals. The court observed that because the revision process is being conducted under the specific mandate of the Supreme Court, any further applications or interventions regarding the matter must be directed to the apex court.
The division bench, presided over by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, clarified that the High Court’s role in this specific process has been primarily administrative. Following the Supreme Court’s directions, the High Court has already facilitated the appointment of tribunal judges from an administrative standpoint to oversee these appeals.
The legal challenge was initiated by Sk Anwar Ali, the chairperson of the legal cell of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee. The petition sought relief for individuals whose names were deleted from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision process.
Under existing Supreme Court directions, individuals affected by such deletions have the specific option to file appeals before specially constituted SIR appellate tribunals. The petitioner had approached the High Court seeking intervention to protect the rights of these electors during the appellate stage.
During the proceedings, the bench led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul maintained a strict jurisdictional boundary. The court noted that since the entire SIR mechanism—including the creation of the appellate tribunals—was a byproduct of the Supreme Court’s direct oversight, the High Court would not entertain petitions seeking to modify or intervene in that process.
“All applications relating to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls must be made before the Supreme Court,” the bench observed while dismissing the plea.
Responding to the dismissal, counsel for the petitioner informed the court that they have already begun the process of moving the Supreme Court. The legal team expects to file a fresh petition before the apex court to address the grievances of the electors whose names were omitted from the rolls.
The outcome of this matter is considered critical for the integrity of the electoral process in the region, as the SIR appellate tribunals remain the primary recourse for citizens seeking to reinstate their voting rights ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
