Mamata Banerjee Likely To Appear In Supreme Court Today To Challenge Bengal SIR

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is expected to appear before the Supreme Court today in connection with her petition challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.

Sources indicated that the matter is listed for February 4 and could be taken up along with other petitions questioning the validity of the revision exercise.

Security clearance has reportedly been granted for her visit by the court's security wing. Banerjee, who is a Z+ category protectee, is likely to attend the proceedings personally if the bench hears the matter.

Challenge To Election Commission's SIR Process

Banerjee filed her petition on January 28, contesting the legality of the ongoing revision of voter lists in West Bengal. In her plea, she has objected to the manner in which the process is being conducted, alleging political bias and describing the approach of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as authoritarian.

In a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday evening, the Chief Minister flagged the "immense inconvenience and agony to the people" caused by the SIR, claiming that the exercise had resulted in "as many as 140 deaths" across the state.

She further alleged that the revision was being carried out in "blatant violation" of existing laws, "in total disregard of human rights and basic humanitarian considerations."

Deployment Of Micro Observers Raises Concerns

Highlighting what she described as an unprecedented move in India's electoral history, Banerjee noted that the Election Commission had deployed around 8,100 micro observers in West Bengal for the SIR process.

She criticised the decision, stating that the observers had been appointed unilaterally without sufficient training or demonstrated expertise for what she called a "specialised, sensitive and quasi-judicial exercise."

"I am again constrained to write regarding the methodology and approach, beyond the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the Rules framed thereunder, being followed in the ongoing SIR of the electoral rolls in West Bengal," Banerjee wrote in her communication to the poll body.

Suvendu Adhikari Accuses Banerjee Of Trying To Dilute Revision

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that the Chief Minister had moved the Supreme Court in an attempt to weaken the SIR process and push for elections without completing the revision. He maintained that Banerjee was insisting on polls being held on schedule regardless of whether the exercise concludes.

Adhikari also took aim at her remarks regarding the impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner in Parliament, claiming that despite being a seven-time MP and a three-term chief minister, she lacked awareness of the constitutional procedure and the number of MPs required to initiate impeachment.

High-Stakes Legal Battle Ahead Of Elections

The Supreme Court's listing of the plea comes at a time when electoral preparations in West Bengal are under close watch ahead of upcoming elections. Political observers believe the court's decision could significantly influence both the SIR process and the broader election roadmap in the state.

Sources confirmed that the case is scheduled for today, and Mamata Banerjee is expected to appear before the bench if the matter is heard.