72 hrs after SC order, EC says setting up SIR appeal tribunals will take time

Kolkata: Even 72 hours after a Supreme Court order regarding the Special Intensive Revision in Bengal, there was little clarity on Friday on the setting up of tribunals to consider appeals from persons whose names will not be included in the supplementary electoral lists.

On Tuesday, the apex court said that orders passed by judicial officers in cases marked "under adjudication" would not be subject to appeal before any executive/administrative officer. The SC further ordered that the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice may request some former chief justices and former judges of the HC — preferably from Calcutta High Court or neighbouring states — to be notified as the appellate tribunal/tribunals to hear such appeals.





When asked about the timeline for setting up these tribunals, a senior EC official on Friday said the process would take time.

"The Chief Justice of Calcutta HC will decide the procedures for setting up the tribunals. Then the names of former chief justices or judges and their remuneration will need to be finalised. The tribunals will also require office space and staff, which are time-consuming arrangements," he said.

The official added that one tribunal will be set up in each district.

Meanwhile, judicial officers disposed of around 15 lakh cases out of the roughly 60 lakh pending till Friday.

To a query on publication of supplementary lists, the official said: "The EC gave a few proposals and, once the Calcutta High Court approves them, the software will be developed. The supplementary lists will then be published. It may take another 5-6 days from now."

A little over 5 lakh electors, whose names appeared in the draft list but were deleted from the roll published on Feb 28, can appeal to the DEO/CEO seeking inclusion, the official added.