The Supreme Court of India is set to hear the Bengal SIR case again on Tuesday after senior lawyer Menaka Guruswamy raised the issue before the court on Monday. She alleged that the names of legitimate voters are being excluded from the voter list and that authorities are not accepting valid documents submitted by voters.
The matter is expected to be heard by a division bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
Guruswamy told the court that several voters whose names appeared in the previous voter list have now been removed from the latest list. She also alleged that voters are facing difficulties while trying to submit documents to prove their eligibility.
Allegations over exclusion of voters
According to Guruswamy, the ongoing SIR process in West Bengal has led to the exclusion of genuine voters. She told the court that people whose names were earlier included in the electoral rolls are now missing from the updated list.
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She further alleged that even when voters attempt to submit documentary evidence to correct the situation, their documents are not being accepted by the authorities.
The issue has drawn political attention in the state. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been staging a protest over the matter.
Mamata Banerjee continues protest as EC visits state
CM Banerjee has been sitting on a dharna at Dharmatala for the past four days, alleging that names of legitimate voters are being removed from the electoral roll. Guruswamy had also visited the protest stage on the first day.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress has nominated Guruswamy to the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, a full bench of the Election Commission of India is currently visiting West Bengal. The delegation is led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and will remain in the state until March 10.
On Monday morning, the commission's full bench held an all-party meeting with representatives of various political parties.
The SIR issue has now returned to the Supreme Court for further hearing amid these developments.
