The Supreme Court has taken seriously the issue of intimidation of BLOs and obstruction of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work in West Bengal and other states. The court has asked the Election Commission to take seriously the lack of cooperation by various state governments in the SIR process of the voter list.
If the situation worsens…, find out what the court said
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the Commission to take seriously the lack of cooperation by various state governments in the SIR process of the voter list. The bench told senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Commission, to bring to its notice any instances of lack of cooperation and obstruction in the work of BLOs, and it will pass appropriate orders. Dwivedi said that if the situation worsens, the Commission will have no option but to reinstate the police, which fall under the jurisdiction of the state government.
Justice Bagchi said the Commission cannot take over the police until the election process begins.
Deal with the situation, or chaos will spread:
Justice Kant
Dwivedi said the Commission has all constitutional powers to deal with incidents of intimidation of BLOs and other officials engaged in SIR work. Justice Kant told Dwivedi to deal with the situation, or chaos will spread. He described the situation as “extremely serious.” Dwivedi said there was no question of BLOs committing suicide due to stress in West Bengal, as they had to count six to seven households with 30 to 35 voters.
Justice Bagchi stated that the Commission can not exercise jurisdiction over the police until the election process begins.
Deal with the situation, or chaos will spread:
Justice Kant
Dwivedi stated that the Commission has all constitutional powers to deal with incidents of intimidation of BLOs and other officials engaged in SIR work. Justice Kant told Dwivedi to address the situation, or chaos will spread. He described the situation as “extremely serious.” Dwivedi stated that there is no question of BLOs committing suicide due to stress in West Bengal, as they are required to enumerate six to seven households with 30 to 35 voters.
Justice Bagchi stated that this is not a sedentary job, and that BLOs must go door-to-door, fill out the enumeration forms, and then upload them. Justice Bagchi stated that this is not as easy as it appears.
Allegations of violence and threats against officials engaged in SIR work
Senior advocate V. Giri, appearing for the Sanatani Sansad and other petitioners, stated that the petitioners alleged violence and threats against BLOs and other officials engaged in SIR work and requested the Commission to issue directions for their protection.
