The controversial issue of voter deletions in West Bengal has officially reached the Supreme Court. Representing the Trinamool Congress, senior advocate and MP Kalyan Banerjee presented a scathing argument before the bench, alleging that the rate of name removals from the electoral rolls is “extraordinarily high.” Banerjee informed the court that the individuals whose names were purged were all “Mapped Voters”—meaning their identities and residential credentials were fully verified and synchronized with the system.

Arguing before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Banerjee alleged a systematic conspiracy to disenfranchise thousands of genuine voters to favor a specific political entity. He highlighted that nearly 44,000 names were struck off the rolls without following due process or providing adequate notice. Taking note of the gravity of the situation, the CJI questioned the Election Commission’s adherence to legal guidelines during the revision process. The Supreme Court has now sought a detailed report from the commission, directing them to explain the rationale behind these mass deletions. The outcome of this case is expected to have a significant impact on the upcoming electoral landscape in Bengal.