SC quips '240 people can't be in one house' on Bihar SIR draft electoral roll flaws

The Supreme Court on Wednesday quipped that "240 people can't be living in one house" while hearing petitions challenging intensive electoral roll revision in Bihar. The apex court will continue hearing the matter on Thursday, when the Election Commission will argue its case.

For the second day, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi heard petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in poll-bound Bihar. The petitioners argued that the entire exercise was flawed and it was designed for "mass exclusion" from the electoral roll. The petitioners sought an interim stay on the exercise. 

Appearing for Association for Democratic Reforms, senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan argued the entire exercise was malafide in nature and most of the electors do not possess the certificates demanded by the Election Commission to prove citizenship. "I can guarantee there are not more than 25 per cent of people whose enumeration forms have been received who have given a single document," he argued.

When Bhushan also pointed out that 240 electors have the same house address in the draft list, Justice Kant observed, "240 people can't be in one house." Bhushan also said the poll body took away the searchable option in the draft list after Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi's 'vote chori' press conference. However, the bench said they are unaware of any such press conference.

Another senior lawyer, Shadan Farasat, argued the entire exercise was flawed and the 65 lakh voters excluded from Bihar's voter list should be brought back. To this, the apex court said, "Don't ask us to bring back the dead." The bench will continue hearing the matter on Wednesday.