Mamata Banerjee Appears in Supreme Court
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is presenting her case today, February 4, 2026, to the Supreme Court regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise executed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The case, heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, focuses on the legality and implications of deleting over 58 lakh names from the electoral rolls of West Bengal.
Banerjee has voiced her strong opposition to the SIR, claiming it disproportionately targets West Bengal and raises serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. She appears in court following her individual petition challenging the execution of the SIR.
Context of the Special Intensive Revision
The Special Intensive Revision initiative recently published its draft electoral roll on December 16, 2025, revealing troubling patterns in the deletion of electors. This has drawn sharp criticism, highlighting the anomalies, including excessive deletions of young voters and gender bias against women.
“What was the hurry to do this? When it takes two years to do this exercise,” Banerjee asked during her court appearance, signaling her concerns about the timeline of the SIR. She described how notices were issued during festive seasons, and mentioned the unfortunate situation of deceased Booth Level Officers (BLOs), emphasizing the chaos surrounding the process.
Discrepancies and Allegations
Concerns Raised by Banerjee
Banerjee has articulated issues around the deletion process, pointing out that discrepancies in names led to valid voters being left out. “A married daughter is left out because her husband’s suffix is not given,” she argued, underscoring the simplistic metrics being used to include or exclude names.
She also alleged that specific communities are facing higher rates of deletions. Banerjee’s assertion of a targeted approach was evident when she posed a rhetorical question, asking, “Why only West Bengal, why not Assam?” This echoes her sentiments regarding the discriminatory undertones of the SIR.
Concerns About Administrative Lapses
Legal representatives for Banerjee also highlighted significant procedural lapses. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, arguing for her, stated that vital documents were being rejected by the ECI during SIR hearings, leading to confusion and additional stress for voters. “None of the documents like the land certificate or Aadhaar card are being accepted,” Divan pointed out, further reinforcing the claims of administrative mismanagement.
In response to inquiries regarding the rejection of documents, the Chief Justice noted that it is crucial for citizens to know the reasons for their exclusion from the voters’ list, emphasizing that transparency is necessary to uphold the electoral rights of individuals.
Political Reactions
Political opponents, including the Leader of Opposition, have characterized Banerjee’s visit to Delhi as a “planned drama,” suggesting it was a strategy to distract from ongoing voter list sanitization processes in West Bengal. This political skirmish reflects the underlying tensions as the state prepares for upcoming assembly elections.
Despite the opposition’s criticism, party members supporting Banerjee view her court appearance as a critical stand for voter rights and electoral integrity. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra remarked on the lack of favorable response from the ECI during discussions about these matters, claiming that Banerjee’s participation in court today underscores the gravity of the situation.
The Court Proceedings
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Surya Kant recognized the need to address the raised concerns and stated, “Every problem has a solution.” He urged the Election Commission to rectify any issues, as the integrity of electoral rolls is essential for democracy.
The midst of these discussions, Banerjee requested the opportunity to articulate her views directly during the hearing. Her plea, “Give me five minutes to explain,” showcased her commitment to representing the people of West Bengal directly in the highest judicial forum.
The Implications of SIR
The ramifications of the SIR exercise extend beyond just administrative hiccups; they touch upon fundamental democratic principles. With approximately 1.36 crore people facing notices from the ECI, concerns about the suffocation of voter rights persist.
Banerjee’s continued engagement with the highest judicial body reflects a shift towards upholding electoral fairness. In one of her letters to the Chief Election Commissioner, she stated that citizens are being harassed by administrative failures and urged for acknowledgment of their submitted documents.
Next Steps and Future Considerations
The Supreme Court has reserved judgments on similar cases involving Bihar’s SIR process but has signaled that it recognizes the urgency of resolving the issues highlighted by West Bengal’s situation. It is anticipated that both the Court and the ECI will have to act swiftly to address the mounting concerns expressed by citizens and political representatives.
As the election landscape evolves, observers are keenly watching how the legal outcomes of this case may shape voter participation and the administration of electoral processes in West Bengal and beyond.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is proving to be a contentious issue that has far-reaching implications for democracy and citizen engagement in West Bengal. The outcome of this Supreme Court hearing might very well dictate the electoral environment leading up to the Assembly elections.
As discussions continue both in and out of the courtroom, the need for transparency, responsible governance and protection of voter rights remain paramount. The legal discourse surrounding this case is not just pivotal for West Bengal but speaks to the broader narratives of electoral integrity and citizen empowerment across the nation.