NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday backed the view that Aadhaar cannot be accepted as conclusive proof of residence in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, argued that despite residents holding Aadhaar, ration and EPIC cards, officials were “not accepting it” as proof of anything. Justice Kant said such documents could “bonafide show you’re resident of that area”, as quoted by LiveLaw.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi heard senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing RJD leader Manoj Jha, who alleged discrepancies — including people listed as dead being found alive, and vice versa.
Justice Kant said it was a “very sweeping argument” to suggest no one in Bihar possessed valid documents, noting Aadhaar and ration cards existed but could not be treated as definitive proof.
Appearing for the EC, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said an exercise of this nature was “bound to have some defects”, but errors could be corrected before the final roll is published on 30 September. Opposition leaders and civil society groups have petitioned against the EC’s June 24 decision.
On July 29, the top court warned it would step in immediately if there was “mass exclusion” of voters. The draft roll was published on August 1, with the final version due on September 30. Opposition parties claim the process could disenfranchise crores of eligible voters.
The pleas have been jointly filed by leaders from RJD, Trinamool Congress, Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), CPI, SP, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), JMM, CPI (ML), along with PUCL, ADR and activist Yogendra Yadav, challenging the EC’s June 24 decision.
Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, argued that despite residents holding Aadhaar, ration and EPIC cards, officials were “not accepting it” as proof of anything. Justice Kant said such documents could “bonafide show you’re resident of that area”, as quoted by LiveLaw.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi heard senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing RJD leader Manoj Jha, who alleged discrepancies — including people listed as dead being found alive, and vice versa.
Justice Kant said it was a “very sweeping argument” to suggest no one in Bihar possessed valid documents, noting Aadhaar and ration cards existed but could not be treated as definitive proof.
Appearing for the EC, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said an exercise of this nature was “bound to have some defects”, but errors could be corrected before the final roll is published on 30 September. Opposition leaders and civil society groups have petitioned against the EC’s June 24 decision.
On July 29, the top court warned it would step in immediately if there was “mass exclusion” of voters. The draft roll was published on August 1, with the final version due on September 30. Opposition parties claim the process could disenfranchise crores of eligible voters.
The pleas have been jointly filed by leaders from RJD, Trinamool Congress, Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), CPI, SP, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), JMM, CPI (ML), along with PUCL, ADR and activist Yogendra Yadav, challenging the EC’s June 24 decision.
You may also like
Fantasy Preview: SOB vs NOS, The Hundred 2025 – Dream11 Picks, Playing XI Pitch Report
Health Tips- Cardamom tea is harmful for the health of these people; know who they are
"Why Doesn't ECI Submit Affidavits To The Opposition?": Political Analyst Tehseen Poonawalla Demands Action From ECI On Alleged Voter Duplications
Saiyaara to stream on Netflix soon: Date and details inside
Iran says it arrested 21,000 'suspects' during 12-day war with Israel
