Supreme Court Orders Out‑of‑Turn Hearing for 75‑Year‑Old Advocate’s Voter‑List Appeal in West Bengal

Supreme Court directs expedited hearing for deleted voter The Supreme Court on 19 June 2026 ordered an out‑of‑turn hearing for a 75‑year‑old advocate whose name was removed from the West Bengal electoral roll during the SIR exercise. Key Developments Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana heard the petition. The petitioner, a practising advocate from Murshidabad, filed the appeal on 27 March 2026 but it remained unattended. The Court observed that the petitioner is a "genuine bona‑fide citizen" of West Bengal. It directed the Appellate Tribunal to hear the case "out of turn" and decide it expeditiously. The order also noted a communication from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court about a backlog of over 34 lakh appeals pending before the tribunals as of April 2026. Important Facts The petitioner, Md. Yean Ali , has been enrolled with the Bar Council of West Bengal since 1977 and has voted for more than five decades. He submitted documents during the SIR and filed an appeal under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 , but his appeal was not taken up. The Supreme Court case is recorded as WP (Crl.) 781/2026 titled Md. Yean Ali v. Union of India and Ors. Appellate Tribunals, comprising former High Court Chief Justices and retired judges, were created to handle the massive litigation arising from the SIR before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. UPSC Relevance Understanding the functioning of the Chief Justice of India and the mechanisms for electoral dispute resolution is essential for GS‑2 (Polity). The case illustrates how large‑scale electoral roll revisions can trigger mass litigation, testing the balance between administrative efficiency and citizens' voting rights. It also highlights the role of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 in safeguarding electoral integrity. Way Forward The Court’s directive aims to prevent further denial of voting rights by ensuring swift adjudication. The tribunals are expected to prioritize pending cases, especially those involving senior citizens and long‑time voters. For policymakers, the episode underscores the need for a more transparent SIR process and adequate resources for tribunals to avoid backlogs that can erode public confidence in the electoral system.