West Bengal SIR: SC orders extension of deadline for scrutinising objections

The Supreme Court on Monday directed that the deadline for scrutinising documents and objections under the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal be extended at least for a week after February 14, reported Live Law.

The final electoral rolls were earlier scheduled to be published on February 14.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and NV Anjaria also ordered the West Bengal director general of police to respond to the Election Commission’s allegations that the exercise to revise electoral rolls in the state was marred by violence and intimidation, reported Bar and Bench.

“We will not allow any impediment in conduct of SIR,” the chief justice was quoted as saying. “This must be clear to all states.”

The court passed the order in a batch of petitions challenging the exercise in West Bengal. A petition by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, contending that the special intensive revision of poll rolls is being conducted in a partisan and hurried manner ahead of the Assembly elections, was also listed alongside them.

Assembly elections in the state are expected to be held by April.

On Monday, the bench issued a list of directions to “streamline the process” and with a “view to address the apprehensions raised by different stakeholders”, reported Live Law.

It told the Trinamool Congress government in the state...

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