Supreme Court to Hear Mamata Banerjee's SIR Plea Today; Bengal CM to Argue Personally
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. This hearing marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and political battle over the revision process, which Banerjee has labeled as "arbitrary and flawed."
Legal Proceedings and Court Composition
Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, will jointly preside over the hearings today. Mamata Banerjee, who holds an LLB degree, filed her petition on January 28, naming the Election Commission and the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer as parties in the case. According to TMC sources, the Chief Minister is likely to attend the court proceedings and may personally present her submissions before the judiciary, adding a unique dimension to this high-profile legal challenge.
Background and Previous Court Directives
This hearing comes nearly five days after the apex court issued a series of directions, emphasizing that the SIR process in West Bengal should not cause inconvenience to citizens. On January 19, the top court observed that the SIR process must be conducted with transparency. To ensure this, the court directed the Election Commission to display the names of individuals on the "logical discrepancies" list at gram panchayat bhavans and block offices. This measure allows candidates to submit documents and objections at these dedicated locations, addressing issues related to progeny linking with the 2002 voter list.
Mamata Banerjee's Concerns and Allegations
Previously, Mamata Banerjee raised serious concerns over the SIR in the poll-bound state, describing it as "arbitrary and flawed." In a letter dated 3 January addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the 71-year-old TMC leader accused the poll panel of overseeing an "unplanned, ill-prepared and ad hoc" process. She pointed to serious irregularities, procedural violations, and administrative lapses that she believes could lead to "mass disenfranchisement" and "strike at the foundations of democracy."
Political and Cultural Protest
Amid the ongoing controversy, Mamata Banerjee released a book titled "SIR: 26 in 26" on 22 January at the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair. This collection of 26 poems features exigent titles such as 'Panic', 'Doom', 'Mockery', 'Fight', 'Democracy', and 'Who Is To Blame,' serving as a form of protest against the SIR practices. In the introduction, Banerjee states, "We want answers. And answers will be given in people's court," alleging that the Centre has unleashed a "relentless campaign of fear" on the people of Bengal. She dedicated the book to "those who have lost their lives in this ruinous game."
The outcome of today's Supreme Court hearing is eagerly awaited, as it could have significant implications for the electoral process in West Bengal and set precedents for future revisions. With the Chief Minister personally involved, the case highlights the intense scrutiny and debate surrounding the SIR, underscoring its importance in the democratic framework of the state.
