Mamata Arrives at SC as Apex Court Hears Pleas Against SIR
The Chief Minister is set to appear before the apex court in connection with the case
New Delhi: Amid the controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday arrived at the Supreme Court, where the matter is scheduled to be heard today.
The Chief Minister is set to appear before the apex court in connection with the case. Earlier in the day, she left the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee and headed to the Supreme Court ahead of the hearing. Heavy security was deployed at the court premises in view of the proceedings.
Previously, the Supreme Court had directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the names of voters placed under the “Logical Discrepancy” category during the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls in Tamil Nadu.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued the directions while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the SIR process in Tamil Nadu on the grounds of alleged procedural irregularities.
The court ordered that the list of voters be displayed at gram panchayat bhawans, taluka offices in every subdivision, and ward offices in urban areas. Individuals whose names appear on the list have been allowed to submit supporting documents within 10 days from the date of display, either personally or through authorised representatives.
The list must also include brief reasons for the discrepancies. The Supreme Court further directed all district collectors to adhere to the Election Commission’s instructions and deploy adequate personnel to ensure the smooth conduct of the SIR process.
Earlier this week, Mamata Banerjee, along with TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, party MP Kalyan Banerjee and others, met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Monday.
According to sources, despite a polite posture from the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners, the Trinamool Congress leader allegedly raised false allegations, misbehaved, thumped the table and left the meeting. A source claimed that the CEC responded by stating that the rule of law would prevail and that anyone taking the law into their own hands would be dealt with strictly under the provisions and powers vested in the Commission.