Calcutta High Court Urges Nationwide Tribunal Expansion

The Calcutta High Court has advised the central government to request the Supreme Court for permission to establish Special Intensive Revision (SIR) tribunals in every district of West Bengal, aiming to accelerate the resolution of electoral grievances.

The Calcutta High Court has recommended that the central government seek approval from the Supreme Court to create Special Intensive Revision (SIR) tribunals in each district across West Bengal. This move is aimed at addressing electoral grievances more efficiently.

After the Supreme Court directed the establishment of an appellate mechanism for electoral roll disputes, nineteen tribunals were initially formed on March 20. These tribunals, comprising former high court chief justices and judges, are currently operating in Joka, located on the outskirts of Kolkata.

Justice Shampa Dutt (Paul) noted the volume of petitions for early hearings at the SIR tribunals. The justice suggested that additional tribunals across the state could facilitate a swifter resolution of appeals. There are ongoing petitions, and the high court has emphasized the necessity of expanding tribunal coverage.

The tribunal system was instituted in response to the deletion of approximately 91 lakh names from the voter list during the electoral roll’s intensive revision. Prior to this revision, West Bengal's electorate numbered around 7.6 crore.