Tamil Nadu SIR | Supreme Court Directs Publication Of 1.16 Crore Names Served Notices Citing 'Logical Discrepancy'

The Supreme Court on Thursday passed directions to ensure transparency in the verification of 'logical discrepancy' list published during the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that approximately 1.16 crores persons, who were included in the draft voter roll, have been served with notices by the officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI), citing logical discrepancies and seeking verification.

Essentially, the bench applied the order passed last week, in relation to the West Bengal SIR, to Tamil Nadu. The key directions are :

The names of the persons figured in the category of logical discrepancies may be displayed at the gram panchayat bhavan, public places in taluk.

Persons under the category of logical discrepancy are permitted to submit their documents/objections in person or through an authorised representative within a period of 10 days.

The documents/objections to be submitted to the Booth-Level Officer.

The list displaying persons following in the category of logical discussion will contain the brief reason of discrepancy.

It is directed to provide adequate manpower to the ECI and state election commission for deployment of personal at the BLOs or sub divisional level offices

The district collector to meticulously follow the instructions issued by election commissioner of India for deploying adequate staff for smooth functioning of the SIR process.

The superintendent of police of all districts are also directed to ensure that there is no law and order problem at the above specified locations.

The Court also observed that it expected the ECI to follow the same procedure in other States as well, where SIR is underway.

The order was passed in an application filed by DMK Secretary RS Bharathi. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for the petitioner. Senior Advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu appeared for the Election Commission. Tamil Nadu Additional Advocate General Amit Anand Tiwari represented the State.

Case : RS Bharathi v. Election Commission of India W.P.(C) No. 1072/2025