The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Election Commission to probe bulk Form 7 submissions for voter deletion in Uttar Pradesh. A bench directed petitioners to submit a note on unresolved irregularities. The poll panel said, "We found that bulk Form 7 applications had been submitted. They were false."
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directs the petitioners to submit a note specifying unresolved irregularities to the poll panel
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Election Commission to look into allegations of irregularities involving bulk submission of Form 7 applications during its special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh and take necessary corrective steps.
Form 7 is an application form seeking the deletion of a voter's name from the draft electoral roll.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the petitioners to submit a note specifying unresolved irregularities to the poll panel.
"The irregularities which have been brought to the notice of the court shall be submitted to senior counsel appearing for the Election Commission of India by way of a note. On receipt thereof, let the Election Commission examine the factual aspects, thereafter take necessary corrective steps and file a compliance report," the court directed.
The counsel appearing for one of the petitioners said this Form 7 issue concerns Uttar Pradesh.
The Counsel representing petitioner earlier submitted, "On August 5, Your Lordships asked the Election Commission to respond to our interim application concerning submission of Form 7 before BLOs. Three States were before Your Lordships, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. The issues concerning Chhattisgarh and Kerala have been addressed. This Form 7 issue concerns Uttar Pradesh," reported Bar and Bench.
Senior advocate DS Naidu, appearing for the poll panel, agreed that bulk Form 7 applications were submitted but said they were not acted upon.
"We found that bulk Form 7 applications had been submitted. Our officers checked and cross-checked them. They were false, and we have not acted upon them," Naidu told the court.
The petitioner's counsel contended that in one constituency, 32 forms were submitted to target members of one particular community.
Two forms on record were signed by the BLO. There are material inconsistencies and irreconcilable facts," he said, while referring to the ECI affidavit.
The counsel added that similar things have happened in Telangana and Karnataka, where directions were issued for registration of FIRs, reported Bar and Bench.
"In Uttar Pradesh, nothing was done. Therefore, they became emboldened. It is an orchestrated effort," he added.
Naidu said the ECI can examine these claims only once a formal complaint is filed.
"If there is any element of truth, let them file a complaint. Then we can examine it," he said.
The top court asked EC to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, the court declined to extend the deadline for the SIR verification exercise in Kerala, observing that corrections and inclusion requests can be pursued through a continuing process, according to Bar and Bench report.
"Find out wherever you feel there are persons who should still be given a chance or opportunity. Bring it to their notice by way of representation. We will tell them to examine it, and we will keep it pending," CJI Kant said.
The apex court was hearing pleas filed by Congress MP Tanuj Punia and others challenging the conduct of SIR exercise in Uttar Pradesh.