New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that Appellate Tribunals comprising former High Court Chief Justices and former High Court Judges be constituted to hear appeals against exclusions in the West Bengal Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Addressing the concern about the absence of an independent appellate mechanism, the apex court said the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court may request some former Chief Justices and two or three former High Court Judges, preferably from the Calcutta High Court or neighbouring states, to serve as members of the appellate tribunals.
Once their names are recommended, the ECI may notify them as Appellate Tribunals to hear appeals arising from the SIR process.
The Court observed that once the Chief Justice makes an appropriate recommendation regarding the publication of such supplementary lists, the Election Commission of India should act upon it.
Earlier, the court had directed that Judicial Officers from Bengal and neighbouring states be deployed to adjudicate SIR claims, in view of the tussle between the State and the Election Commission of India.
The top court asked the West Bengal Government and the ECI to provide all logistical support to judicial officers in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the State.
