Institute of Legal and Management Studies

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to file an affidavit detailing the process by which the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being implemented in West Bengal.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Pintu Karar, who sought an extension of the SIR deadline and sought for the process to be conducted under court supervision. The Bench directed that the affidavit be filed by November 18.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel questioned why the SIR was being carried out based on data from 2002, urging that it be conducted on the basis of updated 2025 data instead.

Appearing for the Election Commission, its counsel submitted that the previous SIR was held in 2002 and that voters whose names were already on the rolls need not furnish new documents. It was also informed that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have already begun door-to-door verification.

Raising safety concerns, the petitioner's counsel submitted that BLOs were facing threats and sought adequate security arrangements. The Bench, however, declined to issue any specific directions, stating that the state could provide adequate protection for its workers.

The matter will be taken up next after the Election Commission files its affidavit.

A detailed order is awaited.

Case No: WPA(P)/471/2025

Case: PINTU KARAR AND ANR VS THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA AND ORS