Calcutta HC cancels leaves of all judges for SIR work

In a major development following the Supreme Court's "extraordinary order," the Calcutta High Court has officially cancelled the leaves of all judicial officers in West Bengal until March 9, 2026. This directive aims to ensure that the final phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is conducted under strict judicial supervision. A high-level meeting was held involving the Chief Justice, the Chief Electoral Officer, and state officials to finalize the logistics of this transition.

The High Court has prepared a list of 250 judicial officers, as requested by the Election Commission, to ensure one judicial officer is present for each assembly constituency. This team includes 100 judges from specialized NDPS and POCSO courts, along with 150 judges from other divisions. To facilitate smooth operations at the grassroots level, committees consisting of district judges, district magistrates, and superintendents of police are being formed across every district.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized that this rare intervention was necessary due to the "trust deficit" between the state government and the Election Commission. He clarified that these judicial officers will act as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to resolve discrepancies in the voter list. The Chief Justice warned that any lack of cooperation from government officials toward the judiciary would not be tolerated, ensuring that judicial officers are treated with the utmost dignity during this assignment.