During the hearing on Bengal SIR, Chief Justice Surya Kant told CM Mamata Banerjee that many capable lawyers are present, you should let them present the side of Bengal. Mamta Banerjee had appealed to the court to present her arguments herself. On Wednesday (February 4, 2026), the Supreme Court was hearing the petitions filed against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list going on in the country. Among these, there is also a petition by Mamata Banerjee. He filed the final application on Tuesday night demanding the court to issue immediate instructions to stop the removal of voters from the SIR.
According to the report of Live Law, the bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Panchauli was hearing the case. Taking the name of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, Chief Justice Surya Kant told Mamata Banerjee that there are many capable lawyers present in the court, they can present arguments.
Sibal is a capable lawyer, let him present his case – CJI said to Mamta.
Mamata Banerjee had requested the Supreme Court to allow her to present arguments, on which CJI Surya Kant told her, ‘There are many capable lawyers in the court. Mr. Kapil Sibal is also there, you let him present his side… On January 19, Kapil Sibal explained in detail what problems are being faced in the SIR process in Bengal. He also said that the Bengal government fears that genuine residents of the state may be left out of the list. However, Mamata Banerjee herself presented the arguments.
Mamta Banerjee debated on SIR
Mamata Banerjee said, ‘I am from Bengal and I stand for the state… I am here because of your kindness… My respect to the bench, my humble respect to the lawyers too… The problem is that everything is over, we are not getting justice, justice is crying behind the door, then it seems that we will not get justice anywhere. I wrote letters to the Election Commission… I am a very low-key person, I am not fighting for my party here.
Mamta Banerjee also said that SIR is only to erase the name. If a daughter adopts her husband’s surname after marriage, then she has also been included in the name mismatch. He said that many booth level officers (BLO) have lost their lives. Some have committed suicide. Mamata Banerjee raised questions on the SIR and said that the court had asked for Aadhaar. Why is it not being followed in Bengal and why SIR is not being done in Assam. Micro observers have been given power and BLOs cannot do anything.
What did the Election Commission say on Mamata’s allegations?
On Mamata Banerjee’s allegations, Election Commission’s lawyer Rakesh Dwivedi said that the appointment of micro observer is as per the rules, on which Mamata Banerjee objected and said that there is no such legal provision. On this Rakesh Dwivedi said that there is absolutely a provision. When the state is not cooperating, some steps have to be taken. During this, Mamata Banerjee tried to speak again. She said, ‘Milord… can I tell you… what my capable lawyer (Rakesh Dwivedi) said is not right.’
Next hearing on SIR will be held on Monday
CJI Surya Kant interrupted her and said, ‘Madam Mamta, we have full confidence in the ability of Advocate Shyam Diwan, he can present the case well. Nevertheless, Mamata Banerjee said on the matter of appointment of micro observer, I do not trust what advocate Rakesh Dwivedi is saying. We have made available whatever capacity we had. It depends on the district administration and the SDM depends on the district administration. Advocate Shyam Dewan also appeared in the court, he was representing the second petitioner, Joy Goswami, who had filed the petition regarding SIR.
CJI Surya Kant told Mamata Banerjee, ‘We can find a solution. On Monday, give us the list of Group B officers who can be posted in SIR and make them available. After this the court adjourned the hearing till Monday.
