Bihar SIR: Supreme Court says entire exercise will be set aside if EC found using illegal methodology

1. The Supreme Court said on Monday that it would ‘set aside’ the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar if it finds any ‘illegality in methodology’ adopted by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Fixing October 7 as the final hearing of arguments, the top court also stated that it cannot give any ‘piecemeal opinion’ on the matter, and the final verdict would be applicable for pan-India SIR.

A two-judge bench, which included Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, further stated that it presumes that the poll body, which is a constitutional authority, would follow law and mandatory rules during the entire Bihar SIR process. The apex court also refused to modify its September 8 order directing the Election Commission to include Aadhaar card as the 12th prescribed document in the Bihar SIR.

“Driving licenses can be forged… ration cards can be forged. Several documents can be forged. Aadhaar is to be utilised to the extent law permits,” the top court remarked, as reported by Bar and Bench. “We’ll take up thew matter on 7th October. Meanwhile each of you prepare a brief note of arguments.”