UP SIR: Supreme Court Asks ECI to Take Action Against Bulk Filing of Form 7 Applications for Voter Deletion
“The Court was told that in one constituency, 32 forms were filed targeting members of one particular community.”
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to look into the allegations that multiple Form 7 applications seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls were submitted in bulk during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Uttar Pradesh.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana also asked the petitioners to file a note highlighting the irregularities pending to be addressed before the Commission.
“The irregularities which have been brought to the notice of the Court shall be submitted to learned senior counsel appearing for the Election Commission of India by way of a note. On receipt thereof, let the Election Commission examine the factual aspects, thereafter take necessary corrective steps and file a compliance report,” the Court ordered.
Earlier, Counsel representing petitioner told the bench,
“It was on August 5, that Your Lordships asked the Election Commission to file a reply to our interim application on the issue of submission of Form 7 before BLOs. Before Your Lordships were three States – Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. We have taken up Chhattisgarh and Kerala. This Form 7 issue is in Uttar Pradesh.”
Senior Advocate DS Naidu, appearing for ECI agreed that bulk applications of Form 7 were submitted but added that the same were not entertained.
“We found bulk Form 7 applications were submitted. Our officers cross-verified the applications. They found them to be false. We have not acted upon them,” Naidu said.
The counsel appearing for petitioner however informed the Court that these forms were submitted targeting members of one particular community in one constituency.
“In one constituency, 32 forms were submitted,” he said.
He further informed the Court that,
“Two forms on record are even signed by the BLO. There are material inconsistencies and irreconcilable facts,” while referring to affidavit filed by the ECI.
Further, he added that the same practice was noticed in Telangana and Karnataka where the Court issued directions to register FIRs.
“In Uttar Pradesh, nothing was done. Hence they have become emboldened. It is an orchestrated campaign,” he added.
Naidu replied that prima facie, they cannot look into these allegations unless a formal complaint is filed.
“If they feel there is an element of truth in it, let them come forward and file a complaint. We can then go into it,” he added.
The Court meanwhile refused to extend the last date of filing applications for inclusion/deletion of names during the SIR verification exercise in Kerala, stating that the same could be pursued through a continuing process.
“See where ever you find that there are persons who are still to be given a chance or an opportunity. Let them make a representation. Bring it to their notice and we will tell them to look into it. We will keep it pending,” said CJI Kant.
