SIR showdown: Mamata Banerjee takes voter roll battle to Supreme Court

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee became the first sitting Chief Minister to personally argue her own case before the Supreme Court (SC), if allowed. Her petition against the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll was heard on Wednesday.

The plea was heard alongside several challenges already submitted by her Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders against the SIR process. It calls for the total removal of the revision process in West Bengal and asks that the 2026 Assembly elections be held strictly according to the current 2025 voter list.

Bengal CM Mamata spoke to the court in person. She said she belonged to the state and thanked the Bench for its kindness. She mentioned that when justice is "crying behind closed doors", it gives the impression that justice is not being served anywhere.

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The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo arrived in the national capital three days ago to intensify her conflict with the Election Commission of India. She presented her case before a bench that included Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi.

While speaking to the bench, the Chief Minister asked why her state was being targeted.

"Why Bengal? Why not Assam or other northeastern states? The Election Commission is only focusing on Bengal to push the people of the state aside,” she said. She urged the court to step in to protect citizens' democratic rights and claimed that Bengal was being unfairly singled out before the elections.

During the hearing, CM Mamata requested immediate directions to stop the removal of voters’ names from electoral rolls. The Chief Minister also asked the Supreme Court to cancel the EC's SIR, use the current rolls, prevent deletions, simplify name checks and accept Aadhaar.

Initially, the Chief Justice mentioned that the court had received insights from two judges from West Bengal. They explained how pass certificates are issued. He pointed out that this understanding had shaped the court’s view on the matter.

Petitions were heard by

According to India Today, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi is set to hear the SIR petitions. This includes petitions filed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Mostari Banu, and Trinamool Congress MPs Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen.

Also Read | Mamata Banerjee slams ECI, calls it ‘WhatsApp Commission’ over voter deletions in Bengal

Heavy police deployment outside SC

Security has been increased outside the Supreme Court before today's hearing in the Special Intensive Revision case. More police officers are on duty along Bhagwan Das Road and in nearby areas as a safety measure.