Rahul Gandhi moves the Supreme Court over alleged voter deletions in the SIR exercise. (Img: X)
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has approached the Supreme Court with a writ petition challenging alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The move comes amid growing protests against the Election Commission of India and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
With related SIR cases and petitions over police action against protesters scheduled for October 13, the controversy has opened multiple legal fronts involving electoral roll revision, the right to protest and accountability of public institutions.
Before filing the petition, Rahul Gandhi had sought a meeting with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to submit a representation highlighting concerns over alleged voter deletions and irregularities in the SIR exercise.
The CJI declined the request because related matters were already pending before the Supreme Court. However, the communication conveyed to Gandhi made clear that he could pursue the matter through a formal legal petition.
The Chief Justice also pointed out that similar cases were scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, October 13. The communication indicated that a petition filed by Congress leaders could potentially be considered alongside those proceedings. Rahul Gandhi has now taken that route, bringing his concerns into formal judicial proceedings rather than relying solely on political representations.
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has emerged as a major political flashpoint, with opposition parties questioning the process and raising concerns about alleged voter deletions.
The latest escalation follows a report by The Indian Express alleging that CEC Gyanesh Kumar took several decisions relating to SIR unilaterally despite objections from two other Election Commissioners.
The report has added to opposition demands for accountability and intensified questions about the decision-making process within the poll body. The allegations, however, have not been established as judicial findings. The Election Commission's handling of SIR and the legal challenges to the process are now likely to remain under close public and political scrutiny.
The dispute over electoral roll revision has coincided with demonstrations in Delhi against the Election Commission and demands for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Delhi Police detained several protesters over the weekend and imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The detentions prompted further legal action, with petitions alleging that lawyers and journalists were also detained or prevented from performing their professional duties. The issue has therefore expanded beyond the SIR process itself. The treatment of demonstrators and the ability of lawyers and journalists to carry out their work have become additional subjects of legal scrutiny.
On Sunday, October 11, the Supreme Court held a special sitting to examine some of the issues arising from the Delhi protests. The court issued directions restraining the police from detaining peaceful protesters, lawyers and journalists. However, subsequent petitions alleged that detentions continued despite the court's directions.
The Supreme Court Bar Association and other petitioners have also approached the court over alleged police assault and obstruction involving lawyers during the demonstrations. These allegations are expected to be examined through separate proceedings. The petitions raise questions about compliance with judicial directions and the handling of peaceful protests in the national capital.
