Kapil Sibal seeks SC intervention over ‘bulk deletions’ from voters’ lists

Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has called upon the Supreme Court to intervene in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing concerns over “bulk deletions” targeting specific communities. On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Sibal accused the process of being used to exclude certain groups, particularly Muslims, and warned that the practice could undermine democratic integrity. According to Sibal, the SIR exercise, which involves reviewing and updating voter lists, has led to a surge in applications for the deletion of names through Form 7. This form allows individuals to challenge the inclusion of names on electoral rolls or request their removal for reasons such as death, relocation, or ineligibility. However, Sibal claimed that these applications are being submitted in large quantities, often without proper justification. He pointed to reports from Jharkhand, where BJP workers allegedly filed hundreds of such forms simultaneously, bypassing standard verification procedures. At a press conference, Sibal emphasized that the process lacked transparency and accountability. He stated that the form does not require applicants to provide detailed reasons for requesting deletions, nor does it mandate follow-up checks. As a result, he argued, there is a risk of misuse, with potentially innocent citizens being wrongly removed from the voter rolls. “If the court does not act, this democracy will be in deep trouble,” he warned. Sibal further alleged that the SIR process is being manipulated to benefit the ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He described the situation as a “politics of exclusion,” suggesting that the deletions disproportionately affect Muslim voters. He noted that many of those targeted had lived in their areas for years and had no history of disqualification. “This is a very serious issue,” he said, adding that the current system risks eroding public trust in the electoral process. His claims align with earlier reports from The Hindu, which highlighted similar incidents in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Assam. These reports indicated that bulk submissions of Form 7 had raised concerns among political observers and civil society groups. In Maharashtra, the opposition parties recently criticized the draft electoral rolls, noting the exclusion of nearly 2.06 crore names. They alleged that such deletions might be part of efforts to influence election outcomes in favor of the BJP. Sibal’s remarks came amid growing scrutiny of the SIR process, which has been carried out by the Election Commission of India. While the commission maintains that the revisions are conducted in accordance with legal guidelines, critics argue that the lack of oversight and uniformity in implementation leaves room for abuse. Sibal pointed out that in some regions, local officials, including booth-level officers (BLOs) and electoral registration officers (EROs), have begun to question the validity of mass deletions, especially in areas where the opposition holds power. He expressed concern that in states where the BJP governs, there may be little to no resistance to such practices. “Where they [the BJP] are in power, who will object?” he asked, highlighting the potential for systemic bias. His call for judicial intervention underscores the broader debate over the fairness and impartiality of electoral roll management in India. As the controversy continues, the Supreme Court is likely to face mounting pressure to address the allegations. Legal experts suggest that the court may need to clarify the procedural safeguards required during the SIR process to prevent misuse. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has yet to respond publicly to Sibal’s accusations, leaving the issue unresolved for now.