New Delhi – In a rare and historic moment, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stood in the Supreme Court today and personally argued her case against the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This is believed to be the first time a sitting chief minister has argued her own petition before the apex court.

Mamata Banerjee told the bench that the SIR process is targeting only West Bengal, causing huge stress to common people, and leading to the deletion of genuine voters. She said more than 150 people, including booth level officers, have died due to the pressure of this exercise. The Supreme Court issued notice to the Election Commission and posted the matter for further hearing on February 9.

What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

The Election Commission started the SIR across several states, including West Bengal, ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The idea is to clean the voter lists – remove names of dead people, duplicates, or those who are not citizens, and add those who are left out.

In West Bengal, the process began after orders dated June 24, 2025 and October 27, 2025. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) went house to house, asked people to fill forms, and checked documents. Many names got marked under “Logical Discrepancy” (LD) because of small spelling mistakes, change of surname after marriage, or address changes.

The draft roll for the first phase came out on December 16, 2025. Reports say nearly 58 lakh names were deleted in the first phase. Many people complained that genuine voters were being removed without proper notice or chance to explain.

Mamata Banerjee’s Historic Appearance in Court

Mamata Banerjee reached the Supreme Court early in the morning. She filed an application asking permission to argue in person. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, allowed her.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan first presented legal points. Then Mamata Banerjee spoke directly. She said, “When everything is finished, when we are not getting justice anywhere… justice is crying behind the door.”

She told the court she had written six letters to the Chief Election Commissioner but got no reply. “I am a bonded labour. I am from a common family. I am not fighting for my party, I am fighting for the people of Bengal,” she said.

Key Points Mamata Banerjee Raised

• The SIR is being done only to delete names, not to include new voters.
• Women who change surnames after marriage or move to their in-laws’ house are being removed because of name mismatches.
• Documents like Aadhaar, land records, and panchayat certificates are being rejected.
• Notices were sent during Puja and harvest season when people were busy.
• Micro-observers (around 8,000) were appointed only in West Bengal and they are deleting names without proper checks. She asked, “Why only Bengal and not Assam?”
• More than 100-150 people have died due to stress, including a booth level officer who died after getting strict instructions from the Chief Electoral Officer.
• Living people are being marked as dead.
• Over 1.36 crore names are in the LD list, but there is very little time left (just 11 days) to hear all cases.

She made an emotional appeal: “My humble request to you, My Lords, save democracy.”

What the Supreme Court Said

The Chief Justice understood the seriousness. He said, “Every problem has a solution. We have to ensure that no innocent citizen is left out of the electoral roll.”

He noted that name mismatches often happen because of local pronunciation issues. He gave the example: “Tagore is Tagore, no matter how they spell his name.”

The bench flagged that Aadhaar has limitations but said genuine voters must stay on the rolls. It issued notice to the Election Commission on the appointment of micro-observers and asked the EC to file its reply soon.

The matter will be heard again on February 9, along with other related petitions.

Background of the Dispute

Mamata Banerjee has been opposing the SIR for months. She says the timing is suspicious because West Bengal goes to polls in 2026. She met the CEC in Delhi a few days ago but later said she was not heard properly.

Her government has filed a separate petition in the Supreme Court. Many opposition leaders from other states have also challenged similar exercises.

The Election Commission says the SIR is necessary to have clean rolls and prevent illegal voting. Its lawyers told the court that the state government is not cooperating fully, which is why micro-observers were sent.

Reactions After the Hearing

Trinamool Congress leaders praised Mamata Banerjee for her courage. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said the court took two important points seriously.

BJP leaders in West Bengal called it a “political drama” and said the SIR is only about removing fake voters.

Many common people in Bengal are worried. In villages, families are rushing to collect old documents to prove they are genuine voters.

What Happens Next?

The Supreme Court will hear the Election Commission’s reply on February 9. Till then, the court has asked officials to be sensitive while issuing notices for name mismatches.

Mamata Banerjee thanked the court before leaving. She said she came to the Supreme Court only because she could not get justice anywhere else.

This case is being watched closely across the country because it touches the basic right to vote. Millions of voters in West Bengal are waiting to see what the final decision will be before the 2026 elections.

FAQs

Q1: What is SIR?

A: Special Intensive Revision is a special drive by the Election Commission to check every voter’s name, remove wrong entries, and add missing ones. It is more detailed than the usual annual revision.

Q2: Why is Mamata Banerjee against it in West Bengal?

A: She says the process is being done in a hurry, only deletions are happening, and many genuine names (especially of women and poor people) are being removed. She also says it is targeting only Bengal.

Q3: How many names have been deleted?

A: In the first phase, around 58 lakh names were deleted in West Bengal.

Q4: What did the Supreme Court do today?

A: It issued notice to the Election Commission, asked for a reply, and listed the case for February 9. It also told officials to be careful about name mismatches.

Q5: Can Aadhaar be used as proof?

A: The court has said Aadhaar can be accepted, but the Election Commission has some reservations. A related matter is pending in another case.

Q6: What should voters do now?

A: If your name is in the LD list or you received a notice, go to the hearing with all your documents (Aadhaar, ration card, old voter ID, etc.) and explain your case.