The Supreme Court is hear today a batch of petitions related to West Benga lSIR, including WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's plea raising issues inter-alia about characterization of voters in the 'logical discrepancy' list
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice R Mahadevan is hearing the matter.
Two fresh petitions filed by persons from West Bengal, against their exclusion from the voters' list after the SIR process, also listed before the bench.
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Guruswamy to CJI: No more West Bengal matters today My Lords
Banerjee: WB matters are there, no more SIR matter
J Bagchi: I always love a West Bengal matter
Guruswamy: Will try and bring something more.
J Bagchi says in jest that Guruswamy should learn Bengali
Guruswamy: I am working on it.
Naidu: More than 1 Tribunal may be required
CJI clarifies: We have said as many judges as may be required
HC CJ requested to fix honorarium payable to former CJs/judges who will accept the responsibility. Entire expenditure to be borne by ECI. Recommendations of CJ shall be final and shall be implemented without delay
HC CJ to recommend to ECI about publication of supplementary list.
Order: ECI to issue a notification in consultation with HC CJ notifying a former CJ, and judges alongwith whom former CJ is willing to accept assignment, as appellate Tribunal.
Order: Two issues flagged are mechanism of appeal by those persons whose claims for inclusion have been rejected by judicial officers - and publication of supplementary list particularly when more than 10 lakh objections have been disposed of.
Order: We direct state govt that all necessary facilities should be provided to the officers. CJ has informed that all orders and updates have been disseminated in real time...adverting to the issues flagged by Hon'ble CJ, we direct:
-ECI will ensure that no mandatory [...] which might cause disruption is introduced
-Technical issues causing disruptions (prior to March 7) will be effectively addressed
-New login IDs to be created as and when required by judicial officers - promptly.
Order: Report informs that repeated VCs are being held with judicial officers. Necessary directions also issued and their leaves have been cancelled
CJI: what more sacrifice can we expect from our officers? I myself experienced while I was travelling
Gopal S: Public will not notice this when criticizing judiciary.
CJI asks Dr Menaka to withdraw a petition
Bench clarifies it is referring to Bilkis Tarafdar petition. Petition is dismissed as withdrawn. Liberty to avail alternate remedy
Main matter - IA deprecated by Court dismissed
CJ of HC through latest communication of 10 March has informed that 10 lakh+ objections have been disposed. 500+ judicial officers from WB, 200 from Odisha and Jharkhand have been deployed and are working day and night. Till 8 March, 709 [...] have been created in some of the sensitive districts. However, judicial officers have experienced difficulty which seems to have been created due to some mistake at the hands of ECI. Notified to Mr Naidu, who assures it shall be rectified. We strongly recommend ECI to provide full logistic support in completion of responsibilities of judicial officers.
CJI: A stage has come where we are doubting both sides. We are doubting bonafides of both sides.
CJI: We can ask HC to entertain appeal
Gopal S: It's fantastic what judicial officers have been doing. But 3 lakh 4 thousand were rejections. Massive burden if left for HC, we must inform
CJI suggests 1 former CJ and 2 former judges
J Bagchi: Let the supplementary list be published as and when clearance [is there]. Till now the notification has not come out for elections. Our request is - please inure smooth discharge of duty.
CJI: IA No.72504 is asking for same relief which Dr. Menaka is praying for
Banerjee: Two things - 10 lakhs cases disposed of. Therefore supplementary list can be published
CJI: CJ of HC has informed today morning...what prevents you...look at the prayer - direct ECI to withdraw all addl. cases given for review to judicial officers. Completely in teeth of order we passed!
Banerjee: We want to know reasons for rejection and supplementary list publication. CEO has passed an order directing that all appeals should be marked to CEO. CEO will hear appeal.