In an unprecedented scene that brought the Supreme Court to a standstill, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally addressed the bench today to challenge the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Becoming the first sitting Chief Minister to argue a case in person before the Top Court, Banerjee alleged that the state is being "targeted" ahead of the elections through a process designed for disenfranchisement rather than inclusion. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, has issued a notice to the ECI, seeking a response by next Monday.
Banerjee’s submissions were marked by urgency and emotion. Addressing the bench—which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi—she claimed that the legal and administrative machinery was failing the people of Bengal.
"The problem is - when everything is finished, we are not getting justice, justice is crying behind the door... Only they have targeted Bengal on the eve of elections. They wanted to do something in two months what will take two years."
The CM questioned the timing and pace of the SIR, noting that the hurry had led to immense harassment. She further alleged that the ECI was bypassing official protocols by issuing informal instructions, even referring to the body as the "WhatsApp Commission."
Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, appearing alongside the CM, flagged that over 1.36 crore persons are currently on the 'Logical Discrepancy' (LD) list with only 11 days left for the final publication of the voter list. He argued that over 50% of these cases are due to minor spelling mismatches—often occurring when Bengali names are transliterated into English.
Banerjee made a grave allegation regarding the neutrality of the process:
"Micro-observers have been appointed from BJP to delete names... They want to bulldoze the people of Bengal."
CJI Surya Kant took a balanced but firm view. He directed the ECI to stop issuing hearing notices for mere spelling mismatches and suggested a solution for the controversial micro-observers. The Court noted that if the West Bengal government provides a list of Group B officers to assist in the revision, the external micro-observers could be relieved.
However, the Court also took note of a submission by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who alleged an "atmosphere of hostility" against ECI officials in the state.
This case represents a constitutional flashpoint between state executive power and the autonomy of the Election Commission. By appearing in person, Mamata Banerjee has elevated a procedural dispute over voter lists into a high-stakes battle for democratic legitimacy. The Court's decision on whether to halt deletions or revert to the 2025 voter list for the upcoming Assembly elections will fundamentally shape the electoral landscape of West Bengal.