The Supreme Court issued notice in a batch of petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal, while cautioning the Election Commission of India (ECI) to exercise due care in issuing notices during the revision process.

The matter was heard by a Bench led by the Chief Justice of India, during which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also gave her submissions.

The CJI orally cautioned the ECI, observing that notices must be issued carefully and responsibly, and that the Commission cannot casually issue notices naming notable authors and individuals without proper application of mind. The Bench indicated that such actions could have serious implications and must conform strictly to law.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that in every listing of the matter, the ECI was raising new issues without any legal basis, contending that the manner in which the SIR exercise was being conducted lacked statutory support and consistency.

The Court directed that notice be issued in both the SIR petitions presently before it. During the hearing, the Solicitor General informed the Bench that there was another connected petition in which an affidavit had already been filed by the ECI, and that the contents of that affidavit would have a bearing on the present proceedings.

Taking note of this submission, the CJI directed that the connected matter also be listed, observing that all issues arising out of the West Bengal SIR exercise should be heard together.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court directed that all SIR-related petitions be taken up for hearing on Monday, when the Court will consider the challenges in detail.