Overview
The Supreme Court on 27 October 2026 assured that it will "examine everything" in the ongoing litigation over the SIR. Petitioners, led by Rahul Gandhi, asked the Court to direct the ECI to preserve or disclose all records and decisions related to the exercise.
Key Developments
- The case was adjourned by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant for a 10‑day period, with a fresh hearing slated for mid‑November 2026.
- Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi presented the request to file the SIR records before the Court.
- The CEC Gyanesh Kumar and other commissioners submitted an affidavit stating that SIR decisions were lawful and that any attempt to curb the CEC’s powers would be illegal.
- Separate petition by Dola Sen raised concerns over alleged tampering of Form 6 during the SIR.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta cautioned against turning the Court into a political arena.
Important Facts
The SIR exercise has removed roughly 13 crore voters from the rolls. Affected voters must file Form 6 and an additional declaration mapping their lineage. In West Bengal, over 16 lakh appeals against deletions have clogged the Appellate Tribunals. The EC’s affidavit denies any alteration of Form 6, arguing that the additional declaration is not part of the statutory form.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the SIR controversy touches upon several UPSC syllabus areas:
- Polity (GS2): Role and powers of the ECI, removal procedures for the CEC, and judicial review of electoral reforms.
- Governance (GS2): Interaction between the judiciary, executive, and independent institutions in safeguarding democratic processes.
- Current Affairs (GS1/GS2): Recent mass protests, petitions, and the political implications of large‑scale voter roll clean‑ups.
Way Forward
The Court’s upcoming hearing will likely focus on:
- Whether the EC must disclose all SIR‑related documents to ensure transparency.
- Legal validity of the additional declaration accompanying Form 6.
- Procedural safeguards for removing a CEC, which, as per the affidavit, mirror those for a Supreme Court judge.
For aspirants, tracking the outcome will illustrate how constitutional bodies are held accountable and how electoral integrity is maintained in India.