The Supreme Court on Monday said bulk submission of Form 6 applications in West Bengal is not unusual. The Court made this observation while hearing petitions on electoral roll revision.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi heard the matter. The petitions challenge the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State.
The issue arose after allegations by the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The party claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers filed thousands of Form 6 applications.
Form 6 Submissions During West Bengal Roll Revision
Senior Advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay raised concerns before the Court. He said that one person filed nearly 30,000 Form 6 applications.
He also argued that such filings should not continue during adjudication. However, he clarified that he was not blaming any political party.
In response, Chief Justice Surya Kant said the situation was not new. “Happens every time, not the first time. You can raise objections,” he observed.
The Court also said that these concerns were premature. It stated that it would examine the issue at the appropriate stage.
Supreme Court on Form 6 Submissions and Objections
Senior Advocate D.S. Naidu appeared for the Election Commission of India (ECI). He submitted that the law allows voter inclusion until the last date of nomination.
He further stated that any eligible person can apply for inclusion. “If somebody has a right, nobody can stop it,” he added.
Bandopadhyay then suggested greater transparency. He said authorities should publish new inclusions booth-wise. This would allow people to file objections.
ECI Defends Form 6 Submissions Till Nomination Stage
Justice Joymalya Bagchi clarified the legal position. He explained the difference between roll revision and final voter lists.
He said the final list depends on the qualifying date fixed by the ECI. Therefore, late inclusion does not grant voting rights in the same election.
Court Reviews SIR Progress in West Bengal
The Court also reviewed the progress of the SIR process. Chief Justice Surya Kant referred to a letter from the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice.
He stated that 40,000 out of 60,000 objections had been decided. He added that authorities would decide all objections by April 7.
Earlier, the Court had directed deployment of judicial officers for the process.
Bandopadhyay questioned the need for their training. However, the Court rejected this concern.
“Don’t raise frivolous allegations. This is an orientation, that’s all,” the CJI said.
Justice Bagchi added that judges were handling a new task. However, the Court expressed full confidence in their impartiality.
Next Hearing in Form 6 Submissions Case on April 7
The Court will hear the matter again on April 7.
Meanwhile, it also considered a plea on poll-related violence. The Court directed listing of the plea after curing defects. It also allowed the opposite side to file a response.
Also read: How Judges Are Removed in India as MPs Move Impeachment Bid Against Madras High Court Judge
