New Delhi, 24 February (H.S.): The Supreme Court approved deploying judicial officers from outside West Bengal to adjudicate claims in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, addressing over 50,000 logical inconsistency cases flagged by the Election Commission.

Chief Justice Suryakant-led bench directed Calcutta High Court Chief Justice to appoint 3-year experienced Additional Civil Judges alongside Jharkhand and Odisha judicial officers for 80-day deployment, as local shortages threaten 250-officer requirement.

ECI bears travel, stay, and honorarium costs.Trust Deficit Stalls Process: No Other OptionCourt lamented unfortunate ECI-West Bengal government finger-pointing eroding trust, stalling SIR; February 20 order mandated district judges for discrepancy resolutions, with collectors/SPs aiding logistics and DGP filing affidavit on threats to officials.

Mamata Banerjee challenged SIR; ECI accused her inflammatory speeches fueling violence unique to Bengal.

Previously, SC ordered public display of 1.25 crore flagged voters' names at panchayats/blocks for document submission, safeguarding affected citizens while mandating transparency in this de novo electoral overhaul ahead of 2026 polls.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar