The Supreme Court on Monday refused to advance the hearing of petitions regarding thousands of unresolved voter list appeals in West Bengal, keeping the case listed for October 5, just one day prior to scheduled assembly by-elections in the state.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana declined the request for an expedited date, with the Chief Justice stating that the upcoming votes were only by-elections.
Thousands of Appeals Pending Before Tribunals
The matter was mentioned for urgent consideration after the case, originally expected to be heard on September 29, was tentatively scheduled for October 5.
Seeking an earlier hearing, counsel for the petitioners pointed out that more than 18,000 appeals challenging the omission of names from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision remain pending before appellate tribunals set up under Supreme Court directions.
The advocate argued that the affected citizens were unable to participate in the previous elections and warned that they risk missing the opportunity to cast their ballots for a second time if the issue is not taken up before the polls.
By-elections in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly constituencies are scheduled to take place on October 6.
