Bengal Voter List Case: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee appeared in the Supreme Court as a lawyer against the irregularities in the Voter List Revision (SIR). He has alleged massive irregularities in the process.
New Delhi: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself is going to appear in the case related to Intensive Revision (SIR) of Voter List in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee had sought permission to appear in person today on the petition against SIR in Bengal. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is hearing these petitions. There is news that Mamata Banerjee has been allowed to appear. Trinamool Congress has also shared a picture of Mamata, in which she is climbing the stairs of the Supreme Court wearing a lawyer’s coat. It is a rare occurrence in Indian history that a Chief Minister is coming to argue in the Supreme Court as a lawyer. Mamata Banerjee’s petition alleges that there have been large-scale irregularities in the intensive revision of the voter list in Bengal. Trinamool Congress has also approached the court regarding this issue. Assembly elections are near in Bengal, in such a situation this step of Mamata Banerjee is very important.
What is the matter of voter list?
The Chief Minister had recently approached the Supreme Court seeking immediate intervention of the Supreme Court against the extensive revision of the voter list. The Chief Minister has approached the Supreme Court alleging large-scale irregularities in the SIR process in the state. It is also worth noting that Mamata Banerjee has filed this new petition when a petition filed by Trinamool Congress on the same issue is already pending in the court. Mamata Banerjee has strongly opposed the voter list amendment in the state from the beginning. Trinamool has also taken the same stand that large-scale irregularities are taking place and this is a ploy to rig the elections. Meanwhile, it is also drawing attention that the Chief Minister herself is going to fight a legal battle in the Supreme Court.
Is SIR above judicial review?
Recently, the Supreme Court had raised the question whether the comprehensive revision of the voter list being done by the Election Commission is beyond judicial review. This question was raised by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant while hearing petitions challenging the SIR process across the country. Justice Joymalya Bagchi had also said that the process should be fair and in accordance with the principles of natural justice. The Election Commission clarified that the citizenship test is only for the electoral process and not to deport anyone from the country. The Election Commission claimed that the work is being done liberally and without any pressure.