Top News

New Delhi:The 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal are approaching. Meanwhile, political turmoil increased in Delhi’s cold morning when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself reached the Supreme Court. Their objective was to stop the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list being conducted by the Election Commission in the state and to protect democracy.

Mamta’s historic step in Supreme Court

Mamta Banerjee reached the court with her white saree and black shawl. He wore a black shawl to protest against the more than 100 deaths that reportedly occurred during the SIR operation. This was the first time that a sitting Chief Minister herself came to the court to present her case. Lawyers were greeting him in the corridors and taking some photographs. Mamta avoided the media, folded her hands and smiled and entered the court room.

Initially she was asked to sit in the front row of the petitioner, but she remained sitting in the audience seat at the back with her lawyer. There were strict security arrangements, even the phones of those taking selfies were confiscated. Court Room No. 1 was packed because this case was in the eyes of the entire country.

Mamta’s emotional arguments in court

The hearing started at around 12:45 pm. Mamata came to the front row along with TMC MP and senior lawyer Kalyan Banerjee. The short stature of Mamta filled the entire court room with enthusiasm with her presence. He appealed to the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi to save democracy in West Bengal.

Initially she allowed her lawyers to speak, but when the Election Commission lawyer claimed that names were not being removed merely because of minor spelling mistakes, Mamata broke protocol and sought permission to intervene. With folded hands he said that lawyers fight cases, but when justice is not given, justice cries behind closed doors. I am remembering the words of Rabindranath Tagore.

Mamta told that she wrote six letters to ECI, but did not get any reply. The Chief Justice asked that the state has excellent lawyers, then why did she come herself? Mamta replied that I am here like a common man, I am from a bonded laborer family, I am the daughter of Bengal.

Serious allegations on SIR

Mamta said that SIR is being used only for removing names and not for verification. Names are being removed by astute observers who do not understand Bengali language. Changing surnames of women after marriage or changing addresses for work is being dismissed as a logical inconsistency. He asked why only Bengal was being targeted? Why not start from Assam or North-East?"

He mentioned more than 150 deaths, especially of BLOs who allegedly committed suicide under pressure. It was considered inappropriate to issue notice during the harvest and puja season. Documents like Aadhar Card were earlier to be accepted on the orders of the court, but now they are being denied. When the Election Commission’s lawyer accused the state of non-cooperation, Mamata rejected that the state has provided all the officers.

court decision

At the end of the hearing, the Chief Justice issued a notice to the ECI and directed the state to depute adequate officers for verification. Mamta immediately agreed. The court asked to be careful in issuing notices on small mistakes in name. After the hearing, Mamta was surrounded by lawyers and media. Some presented books. Videos went viral on social media, where the lawyer was seen following him till his car.