New Delhi: Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has expressed deep frustration with the Supreme Court over the handling of concerns surrounding alleged wrongful voter deletions and additions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi on October 10, Sibal said he was tired of repeatedly approaching the Supreme Court and was losing hope of securing relief through legal proceedings.
“I don’t have much hope in the Supreme Court of India,” Sibal said, while clarifying that he was expressing his personal view.
Concerns Over Voter Deletions Under SIR
- Sibal alleged that concerns about wrongful deletions and additions to voter lists had been repeatedly brought before the Supreme Court over several months, but the petitioners had not received the relief they sought.
- He pointed to appellate tribunals in West Bengal, claiming that 93% of the appeals decided so far had resulted in voters names being restored. He argued that the figure raised serious questions about the accuracy of the voter list revision process.
- The 93% figure was cited by Sibal and should not be interpreted as proof that the same proportion of all deleted voters across India were wrongly removed.
- The Special Intensive Revision process has become a major political and legal issue, with opposition leaders and other critics raising concerns about voter exclusion. The Election Commission has defended the revision process, stating that deletions can involve deceased voters, people who have relocated and records that cannot be verified. It has also said that eligible voters whose names are missing can seek enrolment.
Remarks Amid Delhi Protest Restrictions
- Sibal’s comments came amid protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demands for accountability over alleged electoral irregularities.
- The demonstrations faced police restrictions and detentions, triggering criticism from opposition leaders and civil liberties advocates.
- Sibal questioned the restrictions imposed on protesters and raised concerns about reported detentions and disruptions affecting people travelling to the national capital.
- The protest related developments added to the wider debate over freedom of peaceful assembly, electoral transparency and institutional accountability.
Supreme Court Responds to Sibal’s Remarks
- On October 11, the Supreme Court addressed Sibal’s remarks during a hearing connected to the restrictions imposed ahead of the Delhi protests.
- The court said it was determined to restore his faith in the institution, underlining the importance of public confidence in the judiciary.
- The response brought renewed attention to the relationship between judicial accountability, constitutional rights and public trust in democratic institutions.
Sibal Says Lawyers Must Continue Fighting Injustice
- Despite expressing frustration, Sibal indicated that lawyers must continue to pursue cases involving alleged injustice, regardless of whether they are satisfied with the outcome of individual proceedings.
- His remarks have brought the SIR controversy back into focus, particularly the questions surrounding voter list accuracy, the process for appealing deletions and the role of the judiciary in protecting citizens’ rights.
- The broader issue remains significant for voters across India: ensuring that every eligible citizen has a fair opportunity to remain on the electoral rolls and exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Business Galaxy Note: Kapil Sibal’s remarks reflect his personal assessment of the judicial process. Allegations of wrongful voter deletions should be evaluated against official records, court proceedings and independently verified evidence. Business Galaxy remains committed to fair, balanced and responsible journalism.
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