New Delhi: The Chief Justice of India (CJI), on Tuesday, made it clear that he would not tolerate aspersions being cast on judicial officers involved in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
The final rolls were released on February 28, leaving out the names of 52 lakh people. The Supreme Court had then directed that judicial officers from Bengal be engaged in hearings for those who file appeals. The names of those found eligible would be added to the final list subsequently.
A petition was later moved, casting aspersions on the integrity of the judicial officers from the state.
CJI Surya Kant said on Tuesday that unauthorised persons and intruders would not be included in the electoral process, as reported by News18.
Judicial officers are overseeing the exercise, he said and ensured that all genuine voters would be included. Expressing displeasure over allegations against members of the judiciary, the CJI said he was irked by aspersions being cast on judicial officers handling the process.
“As CJI, I won’t tolerate this. I am issuing a stern warning,” he said, pointing out that the integrity of judicial officers must not be questioned without basis.
The CJI observed that such petitions send the wrong message about a lack of faith in the system.
“Now this game starts… It concerns 52 lakh people. This is a premature petition,” he said in a strongly worded statement.
During the hearing, he was informed that work related to 10 lakh people had already been completed.
“As far as you are concerned, wait and watch. Filing a petition in advance sends a wrong signal that you do not have faith in the system,” the CJI responded.
The petitioners had overstepped by questioning judicial officers, he stated. “How can the petitioners dare to file such an application?” he said.
The CJI also clarified that individuals with valid voting rights would be included in the process, while those illegally included would be excluded.
“Those who are genuine and valid voters will be included. Those who are intruders will be excluded,” CJI Kant said.
