Supreme Court Questions ECI on Deletion of 65 Lakh Voters from Bihar Draft Rolls Amid SIR Controversy

Supreme Court Demands Transparency from Election Commission

On August 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to respond by August 9 to a plea by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) seeking clarity on the deletion of approximately 65 lakh voters from Bihar's draft electoral rolls. These deletions were made following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiated by the ECI under its June 24 directive.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N Kotiswar Singh instructed the ECI to furnish detailed data on the deleted voters, clarify whether these voters are dead, have permanently migrated, or were excluded for any other specific reason, and share the same with the NGO.

Background: The SIR and the Dispute

The ECI’s June 24 order had mandated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections. The aim was to clean up the voter list, but it has drawn criticism for requiring a fresh verification process, including proof of citizenship for continued inclusion in the rolls.

Critics argue that this process risks disenfranchising poor, marginalised, and rural voters. The ADR and other petitioners—including RJD MP Manoj Jha, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, PUCL, and former Bihar MLA Mujahid Alam—have challenged the SIR process, alleging that it shifts the burden of proof onto voters and excludes widely held documents such as Aadhaar and ration cards.

Supreme Court Observes Data Gap

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing ADR, stated that the Election Commission failed to disclose which deleted voters were deceased or had migrated. The bench observed that while the current draft is not final, transparency is vital to avoid arbitrary exclusions. Justice Kant added, “We will see every voter likely to be affected and get the required information.”

The court will begin hearing the petitions challenging the ECI's SIR directive on August 12 and 13.

Claim: 75% of Enrolled Voters Lacked Proper Documentation

Bhushan alleged that 75% of the enrolled voters under SIR had submitted no supporting documents from the ECI’s 11 approved categories. Instead, their inclusion was based solely on the Booth Level Officer’s (BLO) recommendation, casting doubt on the integrity of the verification process.

The ADR's fresh application requests the publication of an assembly-wise list of deleted voters, with specific reasons for deletion such as death, migration, duplication, or being untraceable.

ECI’s Defence: Political Silence and Tech Tools

In its bulletin released on August 7, the ECI stated that no political party had filed any formal claim or objection against the draft electoral rolls between August 1 and August 6, 9 AM. However, 3,659 objections were received directly from electors. Additionally, 19,186 new voter applications (aged 18+) were submitted.

The Commission stated that 1.60 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from 12 political parties participated in the enumeration. Voters were able to verify their inclusion via EPIC number-based portals and could file objections or update details through the same system.

The ECI also reminded voters to submit fresh photographs to their BLOs by September 1, 2025, to ensure updated Voter ID cards.

Bihar SIR Sparks Political Storm

The Special Intensive Revision has triggered protests in Parliament by opposition parties under the INDIA bloc, claiming the process is being used to delete large sections of the voter base ahead of the elections. The controversy is unfolding amid rising demands for the ECI to ensure transparency and protect voter rights.

According to preliminary data, 35 lakh electors have either permanently migrated or could not be traced, while 65 lakh voter names have been excluded in total from the draft list.

Legal Context: The Road Ahead

While the ECI has maintained that proper procedures were followed, the Supreme Court’s ongoing scrutiny could reshape the future of electoral roll management in India. With a batch of constitutional petitions scheduled for hearing, the apex court will decide whether the current model of voter verification under SIR aligns with citizens' fundamental rights and democratic integrity.

Conclusion: Voter Verification vs. Voter Rights

The unfolding legal and political debate over Bihar’s electoral roll highlights a central tension in Indian democracy—between the need for a clean, accurate voter list and the risk of disenfranchising legitimate voters due to bureaucratic hurdles or unclear documentation rules.

As the Supreme Court takes up this matter on August 12, the outcome could have a nationwide impact on how voter rolls are maintained and revised in the future.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts

Father of RG Kar Victim Loses Faith in Legal System Amid Allegations of CBI Inconsistencies

Image
  A Father’s Frustration with the System The father of the 31-year-old postgraduate doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9, 2024, has publicly expressed his deep disillusionment with the Indian legal system. In a powerful and emotional statement, he told ANI that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented contradictory reports in two different courts—the Calcutta High Court and Sealdah District Court. “This is not just a failure of investigation—this is a betrayal. Even Supreme Court judges could not believe the differences in what the CBI is saying. We had faith in the agency, but now, we are losing all hope,” he stated. Allegations of Withheld Evidence The father alleged that the CBI is deliberately withholding key details about the case, despite reportedly knowing who the perpetrators are. He believes the answers lie in his daughter’s phone, which the CBI claims it does not possess—an assertion he disputes. According t...
Read more

Bill Gates Applauds India's 'Namo Drone Didi' Program: A Game-Changer in Rural Empowerment and Agri-Tech

Image
Microsoft Founder Bill Gates Lauds India’s Namo Drone Didi Program In a strong endorsement of India’s evolving rural development model, Microsoft founder Bill Gates has praised the Namo Drone Didi initiative, launched in 2023 by the Government of India. The program empowers rural women by training them to operate drones for agricultural purposes, thereby boosting productivity, reducing manual labor, and enhancing socio-economic inclusion. Gates shared a detailed video and blog highlighting his interaction with three "Drone Didis" from Bihar— Sangita Devi , Sumintra Devi , and Kajol Kumari —during his visit to Delhi last month. He applauded the initiative's early success and expressed optimism about its future scalability. What is the Namo Drone Didi Program? Launched under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Namo Drone Didi scheme is part of a broader strategy to promote women-led development and precision agriculture . It aims to provide 15,000 dro...
Read more

Flight Operations Disrupted Amid India-Pakistan Tensions: Air India and IndiGo Cancel Multiple Flights on May 13, 2025

Image
🔹 Flight Cancellations Announced by Air India On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 , Air India officially announced the cancellation of two-way flight operations to and from the following eight airports : Jammu Leh Jodhpur Amritsar Bhuj Jamnagar Chandigarh Rajkot The airline posted a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: "In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May." Air India further assured passengers that they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates as operations resume in the coming days. 🔹 IndiGo Follows with Six Airport Cancellations Following Air India's decision, IndiGo Airlines also issued a travel advisory cancelling its flight operations for May 13, 2025, at the following six airports : Jammu Amritsar Chandigarh Leh ...
Read more

Your Complete Online Guide to Land Records and Services in Bihar

Image
Introduction: The Shift Towards Digital Land Governance India’s land management system has traditionally relied on manual records maintained at local government offices. While foundational to governance and ownership, this manual system often led to bureaucratic delays, land disputes, and lack of transparency. Recognizing these issues, state governments across India have progressively adopted digital systems to make land-related services accessible, transparent, and efficient. Bihar Bhumi Portal: A Digital Leap in Land Management One of the leading examples of this digital transformation is Bihar’s Bihar Bhumi portal ( https://biharbhumilrc.com/ ), developed and maintained by the Revenue and Land Reforms Department of Bihar . The portal has become a centralized platform providing a wide range of land-related services to citizens, eliminating the need for in-person visits to land offices. Purpose and Vision The key objective behind launching the Bihar Bhumi portal was to empower...
Read more

Equality Before Law

Image
                            Equality Before Law                                                   Introduction The rule of law was firstly introduced by A.V. Dicey in  his book "The Constitution Of England" in which there is rule which only prevails is law in which all are equal. In simple word if any wrong is being done which is not justifiable  by law committed by anyone that may be president, prime minister, or any individual are punishable because there is supremacy of law. Supremacy of law means the government which is power or the people who elected the government all will be treated equally before law.  Article 14 The Indian Constitution 1949, Article 14 guarantees "Equality before law The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the...
Read more

Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Former Bank Manager Accused of Defrauding Woman of ₹13 Crores

Image
Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Former Bank Manager  Accused of Defrauding Woman of ₹13 Crores  The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Varun Vashista , a former bank manager accused of embezzling over ₹13 crores from a customer’s account while working at ICICI Bank's Vikas Puri branch. The bail was approved by Justice Amit Mahajan on November 12, 2024, after considering the evidence and facts of the case.   Details of the Case The allegations against Vashista stem from his role as a branch manager. The complainant and her husband had entrusted him with managing their investments, amounting to ₹13.5 crores, between 2019 and 2023.   The complainant discovered in January 2024 that nearly ₹12 crores had been **siphoned off** from her account. Key allegations include:   - Creation of Fake Fixed Deposits: The accused reportedly created fraudulent fixed deposit accounts in the complainant’s name.   - Misappropriation of Funds: Funds were tr...
Read more

Supreme Court Advocates for Childcare and Feeding Rooms in Public Spaces

Image
Supreme Court Advocates for Childcare and Feeding Rooms in Public Spaces The Supreme Court of India has suggested that the Union Government develop a comprehensive policy addressing the construction of feeding rooms and childcare facilities  in public places. This move aims to ensure that nursing mothers and their children can access basic amenities in a dignified and private manner, reinforcing their fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution. SC Encourages Policy Formulation A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna  and Justice N Kotiswar Singh  highlighted the absence of a structured framework to address this pressing issue. The court advised the Centre to propose a policy that could then be implemented across the states, scheduling the next hearing for December 10, 2024.   The apex court emphasized that before issuing formal directions, it was crucial to understand the Centre’s perspective on implementing the petitioner’s demand for childcare and feedi...
Read more

Evolution of Constitution under Article 14 to 18

Image
 Evolution of Constitution under Article 14 to 18 INTRODUCTION The idea of equality referenced under Article 14 to Article 18 upgrades a more extensive idea and a more extensive part of the examination as the subject of equity itself shapes a vital and powerful idea in itself. The idea of fairness overwhelms the exceptionally two significant ideas of equivalent security of law and equity under the steady gaze of the law. Likewise, the idea of uniformity wins in a wide range of establishments and accommodates equivalent freedoms for people with the abrogation of unapproachable and nullification of titles. The idea is a more extensive methodology as it is significant for society to look to each individual with a similar methodology regardless of his sexual orientation, rank, and religion. The law is visually impaired and is equivalent for each individual as it says that balance wins for each individual and each individual has the option to be secured by the law. Evolution  The f...
Read more

Supreme Court Reinforces Due Process: Curbing “Bulldozer Justice” with Strict Guidelines

Image
Supreme Court Reinforces Due Process: Curbing “Bulldozer Justice” with Strict Guidelines Background In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court of India has set out guidelines to curb arbitrary demolitions, commonly referred to as "bulldozer justice." This term has emerged from instances where properties of individuals accused of crimes have been demolished without following due legal process. The ruling responds to several petitions highlighting the destruction of residential and commercial properties without prior notice, which, according to petitioners, targets marginalized and minority communities. Key Principles Addressed The Supreme Court’s decision rests on critical constitutional principles, particularly the rule of law, separation of powers, and protection of individual rights . The Court emphasized that no person should be punished without due process and that arbitrary action by the executive undermines citizens’ trust in the justice system. Justice Gavai, in del...
Read more

Rights of a Arrested Person in India

Image
One of the basic and important feature of our legal system in benefits goes to arrested person on the principal of presumption of innocence of the accused person until he/she found guilty at the end of trail on legal evidence. Rights include the rights of the accused at the time of arrest, at the time of search and seizure, during the process of trail and the like. In well known case of Meneka Ghandhi v. UOI it was interpreted that the procedure adopted  by the state must be fair, just and reasonable. The certain rights which arrested person need to know are as follows: 1. Right To Silence "it was essentially right to refuse to answer and incriminate oneself in the absence of proper charge. Not initially, the right to refuse to reply to proper charge." the Justice Malimath Committee. The dependent if he so desires can be witness in his trial. His confession in police station is not admissible in court. Only to the magistrate is admissible. The Indian constitution guarantees e...
Read more