New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India’s decision to carry out a Special Revision of electoral rolls in Assam instead of a Special Intensive Revision, which was conducted in Bihar and twelve other states and union territories.
The plea was submitted by Mrinal Kumar Choudhury, former President of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association. It questions the Election Commission’s order dated November 17 and alleges that the decision is arbitrary and discriminatory. The petition notes that while states like Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry underwent Special Intensive Revision, Assam received a lower form of revision.
The petition draws on historical data, including a report by former Assam Governor Lt. General SK Sinha and statements of then Union Home Minister Indrajit Gupta, which indicated that between 40 to 50 lakh illegal immigrants resided in Assam as far back as 1997. The petitioner argues that many of these individuals’ names remain on electoral rolls. Without a Special Intensive Revision, these persons could gain voting rights in upcoming Assembly elections, potentially affecting the state’s demographic balance and political landscape.
The plea also references the Supreme Court’s previous concerns in Sarbananda Sonowal I and II, regarding adverse demographic impact from illegal immigration. The petition seeks quashing of the ECI decision, directions to conduct an SIR in Assam similar to other states, and clarification that Aadhaar should not be treated as a valid document for voter inclusion during the revision process. The petition was settled by Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria and filed through Advocate Anasuya Choudhury.
