New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday orally observed that a 75-year-old lawyer, whose name was excluded from West Bengal's final electoral roll after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), appeared to be entitled to inclusion in the voters' list.The observation came from a vacation bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V Mohan while hearing a plea by the Murshidabad-based lawyer, who has been practising for nearly 50 years.The petitioner informed the bench that although he had filed an appeal before the appellate tribunal against his exclusion, it was yet to be decided. The court declined to examine the merits of the case and left the final decision to the tribunal.Also read: SC bats for creation of young lawyers' professional assistance fund to stop 'brain drain'However, noting delays in the disposal of SIR-related appeals, the bench directed the appellate tribunal to decide the lawyer's plea expeditiously."We are of the prima facie view that he is entitled to be included in SIR. But see the mechanism created by us. I got a call from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court that the time to decide appeals should be extended as there are a lot of them pending," CJI Kant orally observed.In its order, the bench recorded that the petitioner has been practising as a lawyer in Murshidabad since 1977. Taking note that he had already approached the appellate tribunal, it directed the tribunal to decide his appeal within a stipulated timeframe.
SC says 75-year-old lawyer 'prima facie entitled' to be on Bengal voter roll after SIR exclusion
The Supreme Court has indicated a 75-year-old lawyer, excluded from West Bengal's voter list, likely deserves inclusion. Hearing his plea, a vacation bench noted the delay in his appeal's decision. While not deciding the case's merits, the court urged the appellate tribunal to expedite the lawyer's inclusion, acknowledging the prima facie entitlement. The bench emphasized the need for prompt resolution of such electoral roll appeals.
Supreme Court ruled a 75-year-old lawyer excluded from Bengal's voter roll should be registered; he's practiced since 1977. Identity governance at scale needs due-process; electoral roll digitization mirrors challenges tech teams face building fair, auditable identity systems.








