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The Supreme Courtroom on Tuesday orally mentioned that its judgment in the Bihar SIR matter has held that the deletion from the electoral roll per se is not going to result in the lack of different citizenship advantages.
In the course of the listening to of the West Bengal SIR matter immediately, the Courtroom was informed that individuals excluded from electoral rolls are being disadvantaged of ration underneath the Public Distribution System scheme, and different advantages, akin to domicile certificates.
Senior Advocate Rauf Rahim, for petitioners, urged a bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana to go an order that there shouldn’t be such a “ripple impact” following exclusion from electoral rolls because of SIR.
The bench nevertheless didn’t file go any such order. CJI Surya Kant mentioned that the Courtroom was now solely specializing in points referring to the pending appeals within the tribunals, and different points could be raised earlier than the Excessive Courtroom.
When Rauf submitted that one phrase from the Supreme Courtroom can stop such “ripple results” of SIR exclusions, Justice Bagchi mentioned that within the Bihar SIR judgment, the Courtroom had clarified the impact of electoral roll exclusion over an individual’s entitlement underneath social welfare schemes.
“Now we have already clarified our place. Within the Bihar SIR judgment, we had made clear that what’s the […] and the exclusion from the voters listing qua rights of a person in social safety schemes”, Justice Bagchi mentioned. Notably, within the Bihar SIR judgment, the Courtroom had held that ECI can not determine citizenship of an individual and the conclusions reached by it (after SIR) could be related just for electoral functions.
“The Fee is empowered, within the train of its constitutional mandate, to undertake a restricted enquiry into citizenship for the aim of satisfying itself as to eligibility for inclusion within the electoral roll. Such an enquiry doesn’t quantity to a dedication of citizenship within the strict sense, and any motion taken pursuant thereto is confined to electoral penalties alone. The consequence of such a dedication is correspondingly restricted. It impacts the person’s entitlement to be included within the electoral roll, and thereby their proper to take part within the electoral course of. It doesn’t, nevertheless, function to divest the person of claims of citizenship, nor does it foreclose a dedication of that query by the Competent Authority underneath the Citizenship Act“ the Courtroom had mentioned.
The bench noticed that individuals aggrieved by denial of any social welfare advantages after electoral roll-exclusion have the choice to strategy the Excessive Courtroom. Rahim nevertheless submitted that the Excessive Courtroom is already overburdened and that these are people who find themselves “ready for bread and butter”. “They will not be capable of strategy the Excessive Courtroom”, he mentioned.
Notably, Rahim additionally highlighted the case of a NEET rank holder who’s allegedly being disadvantaged of a domicile certificates (on account of electoral roll exclusion after SIR). Claiming that the “ripple impact” is great, he added, “Simply think about the plight of an individual who does not know when his matter is being listed. He does not get ration. On an empty abdomen, how can they go to Excessive Courtroom?”
Empty abdomen – he can come to the Supreme Courtroom however not go to the Excessive Courtroom?” Justice Bagchi retorted.
“Who’s coming earlier than the Supreme Courtroom? There are 35 lakh folks ready over there. Why hold them hungry?”, replied Rahim. The senior counsel additional added that whereas Annapurna Yojana remains to be there, the PDS scheme has been stopped.
It’s worthwhile to say that in one other latest case, the Courtroom had orally noticed that SIR-excluded individuals in West Bengal stay entitled to sure advantages (like ration). This case was disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to strategy the Excessive Courtroom. In the course of the listening to, the CJI mentioned, “Even when your title is faraway from the electoral roll, you’re entitled to sure advantages. However these advantages could be granted by the Excessive Courtroom very effectively…Tomorrow, in case your attraction is allowed, whole train turns into educational”.
In one other case, the Courtroom categorically mentioned that deletion from electoral roll doesn’t robotically end in lack of citizenship. Right here, when a priority relating to excluded individuals’ deprivation of social welfare advantages, akin to free/sponsored ration, was raised, Justice Bagchi mentioned that ECI solely has management over electoral rolls. As soon as it takes a call, it has the corresponding responsibility to refer the matter to the Union for adjudication underneath the Citizenship Act.
Case Title: Mostari Banu v. Election Fee of India and Ors, W.P.(C) No. 1089/2025 (and related instances)
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