West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday personally argued her petition in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a rare move by a serving chief minister, she appeared before the apex court and alleged that West Bengal was being unfairly targeted by the poll panel.

Urging the top court to “save democracy”, Banerjee requested the bench to intervene and ensure that the SIR process is conducted fairly. She raised concerns that people who are alive have been wrongly declared dead during the revision process.

Banerjee, represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Shyam Divan, sought permission from a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant to personally make submissions. The bench also included justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi.

She claimed that despite writing six letters to the Election Commission regarding the SIR exercise, she did not receive any response.

“Their SIR process is only for deletion, not for inclusion,” Banerjee told the court.

She further questioned why similar measures were not being applied elsewhere.

Asking why the same yardstick was not applied in Assam, Banerjee said, “West Bengal is being targeted.”

“They are targeting West Bengal to bulldoze its people,” she added.

At the start of the hearing, Shyam Divan began arguments on her behalf, after which Banerjee was seen standing beside him. She then requested the bench to allow her to speak.

“If you can allow me five minutes only,” she told the court.

Responding to her request, Chief Justice Surya Kant said the court would allow her more time.

The CJI responded by saying the court would give her not five but 15 minutes to advance her submissions.

During her submissions, Banerjee spoke about the difficulties faced by citizens due to the SIR process. She said people were pleased that the Supreme Court had earlier directed that Aadhaar be included as one of the documents for verification.

However, she alleged that the Election Commission was not following the court’s direction.

Banerjee claimed that despite the apex court's direction, the poll panel was not allowing Aadhaar and instead was asking voters to provide other documents.

“In other states, documents like domicile certificate, family register card etc. are allowed... they are only targeting Bengal on the eve of elections. What was the hurry,” she asked.

She also stated that the revision process, which usually takes two years, was being completed within three months. She noted that this was being done during the festival and harvesting season in the state, creating further challenges for people.

Banerjee also claimed that several living people were wrongly marked as dead during the process. She raised concerns about the deaths of officials involved in the SIR exercise as well.

During the hearing, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Election Commission, rejected the allegations made by the chief minister. He claimed that the West Bengal government had not provided enough senior officials for the process.

Dwivedi alleged that only 80 grade-two officers such as SDMs were assigned to oversee the SIR process. He also claimed that low-ranked government employees like Anganwadi workers were being used.

Banerjee strongly countered this claim.

She said the state government had provided whatever the Election Commission had asked for.

While addressing the court, Banerjee quoted Rabindranath Tagore and expressed her frustration. “The problem is our lawyers always fought our case from the beginning but when everything is finished, we are not getting justice. When justice is behind doors. We are not getting justice anywhere,” she said.

She also said, “I am a bonded labourer sir... I am from a common family and I am not fighting for my party.”

When the Election Commission’s counsel interrupted her, Banerjee requested to be allowed to speak. “Please allow me to speak sir!” she said with folded hands.

Banerjee also highlighted concerns regarding married women being issued notices, questioning whether they had shifted to their in-laws’ house or adopted their husband’s surname.

She further alleged that the Election Commission had not complied with the Supreme Court’s directions regarding the logical discrepancy list.

When the Election Commission’s counsel objected during her submissions, Chief Justice Kant intervened and remarked, “Madam has come all the way to speak.”

During the proceedings, the bench observed that “genuine persons must remain on the electoral roll.”

The Chief Justice also said every issue has a solution and it must be ensured that no innocent person is removed from the voters' list.

Concluding her arguments, Banerjee thanked the bench for allowing her to address the court. She once again urged the court to “save democracy.”

Following the hearing, the bench issued notices and directed the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to submit their replies. The Supreme Court sought their responses by February 9.