Retired High Court judges to hear challenges linked to Bengal voter list revision
March 10, 2026: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday directed the creation of appellate tribunals to hear appeals related to voter exclusions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The directive came during a key hearing that has sparked political debate, as the revision process could affect millions of voters in the state.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said individuals whose claims were rejected during the SIR exercise must have access to an independent appellate forum. The court ordered that the tribunals be staffed by retired Chief Justices and judges of High Courts to ensure fair and transparent hearings for those challenging their exclusion from the voter list.
The directive follows concerns that the revision process lacked a clear appeal mechanism for affected voters. The court’s move also builds on earlier directions involving the Election Commission of India, under which judicial officers from West Bengal and neighbouring states were assigned to examine claims and objections after disagreements emerged between the Commission and the state government over the SIR exercise.