Will not allow anyone to create impediment: Supreme Court on SIR exercise in West Bengal

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday categorically said that it would not allow anyone to create an impediment in the ongoing special intensive revisions of electoral rolls in states including West Bengal.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria issued notices to the West Bengal government and sought personal affidavit of state DGP, to an affidavit of the Election Commission in respect of threats and violence against officials engaged in SIR duties.

"We will not allow anyone to create any impediment in the SIR exercise. It must be clear to the states," the bench said while hearing a batch of petitions, including the one filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee, related to the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

The court said also directed that the deadline for the scrutiny of documents and objections be extended at least for a week from February 14, the scheduled date for publication of the final list.

Banerjee alleged "mass exclusion" of voters in the SIR of electoral rolls in the state.

The bench directed the State to make available to the Election Commission of India Group B officers for SIR duties, who can replace the micro-observers deployed by the poll panel.

The court also clarified that final orders on claims and objections can be passed only by the Electoral Registration Officers (ERO), and that the micro-observers can only assist them.

The bench told the West Bengal government to ensure that all the 8550 Group B officers, whose list was handed over, would report for duty to the District Collector/ERO Tuesday by 5 PM.

"The EC shall have the discretion to replace the existing ERO/AEROS and utilise the services of the officers who have now been placed at their service, subject to their suitability," the bench ordered.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for Banerjee objected to an alleged extra-legal role given to the micro-observers, appointed from other States and central government establishments.

He sought a direction that the ERO would be the final authority for passing the order.

The EC's counsel D S Naidu, however, submitted that this was a non-issue, as the orders are passed by the ERO only.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government urged the court to take cognisance of the "shocking details" in the EC's affidavit and pass appropriate orders.

He said that persons holding high offices were instigating violence against the EC officials.

The West Bengal, however, denied the charges.

The EC had earlier claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has been marred by violence, intimidation and sustained political interference and obstruction against election officials.

In its affidavit, the poll panel also cited an incident, related to the gherao of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata on November 24, 2025.

The EC claimed the protestors attempted forcible entry, broke police barricades, vandalised the office, obstructed officials, locked the premises from outside and prevented officers from entering and leaving, causing “serious hindrance” to official work.