News Brief
Bihar SIR Will Face Scrutiny, Illegality Could Void Exercise Says Supreme Court, Final Hearing On 7 October
Supreme Court of India.
On Monday (15 September), the Supreme Court cautioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) that, as a constitutional authority, it was expected to follow the law while conducting the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, and warned that if any irregularities were found, the entire exercise could be set aside.
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi fixed 7 October for final arguments on the validity of the Bihar SIR, declining to offer “any piecemeal opinion” before then, PTI reported.
The bench made clear that its ruling would extend beyond the state, noting, “Our judgement in Bihar SIR will be applicable for Pan-India SIR.”
Petitioners challenging the Bihar process have also been permitted to address the nationwide implications of the revision during the October hearing.
The Court also took up an application by Advocate Ashwini Upadhyaya challenging Aadhaar’s inclusion as an identity document, warning of potential misuse by “lakhs of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Bihar.”
Justice Kant responded, “Drivers' license, Aadhaar, many documents can be forged...Aadhaar is to be utilized to the extent law permits.” The bench nonetheless issued notice on the plea.
