The Supreme Court has asked to increase the number of judicial officers engaged in settling claims and objections related to West Bengal SIR. This order has been given to speed up the entire process. The Supreme Court has also said that if needed, the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court can also request the Chief Justices of Jharkhand and Orissa High Court to provide judicial officers.
On February 20, the Supreme Court had ordered the appointment of judicial officers in the work of SIR in view of the allegations being leveled against each other by the state government and the Election Commission. Then the court had said that it would now hear this case in March, but due to the report filed by the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, this hearing was held on Tuesday, 24 February.
Reading the report, Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant said that at present 250 District Judge and Additional District Judge level officers are investigating about 50 lakh claims. Even if each officer disposes of 250 cases daily, it may take about 80 days to complete the entire process. Taking cognizance of this, the Supreme Court asked to increase the number of judicial officers.
The Supreme Court said that the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court can also depute civil judges with at least three years of experience for the work of SIR. Apart from this, if needed, serving or retired judicial officers can also be demanded from the Chief Justice of Odisha and Jharkhand. The Election Commission will bear the travel, accommodation and food expenses of these officials.
The order also states that those who have submitted the Secondary Board Certificate or Aadhaar Card with sufficient evidence by February 14, will also be considered while settling the claims. The court has said that as per the schedule, the date of publication of the final list is February 28. The Election Commission should publish the list on that day, but considering the large number of claims, it can release the supplementary list even after this date. People who find place in the supplementary list will also be considered included in the final list.
