Resignation of Former Chief Justice Raises Questions on Voter List Appeals in West Bengal

The resignation of former Chief Justice T.S. Shivaganam from the Special Intensive Revision Tribunal has sparked significant discussions regarding the handling of voter list appeals in West Bengal. With over 2.7 million names removed from the voter list during the SIR process, questions arise about the effectiveness of the established tribunals. Notably, Justice Shivaganam's tribunal reinstated 1,717 names, raising concerns about the performance of other tribunals. The case of Congress candidate Motab Sheikh, whose name was also reinstated, adds another layer to this unfolding story. As the election commission remains silent, the public seeks clarity on the overall impact of these decisions on the electoral process.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 14:23 IST

Former Chief Justice Resigns from SIR Tribunal

T.S. Shivaganam, the former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, has stepped down from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Tribunal as of Thursday. Following his resignation, new revelations have emerged regarding the electoral process in West Bengal. Data from the Chief Election Officer's office indicates that a total of 1,607 appeals were submitted to the commission, which were subsequently removed under the SIR procedure.

Impact of the SIR Procedure

These tribunals were established following directives from the Supreme Court. During the SIR process, approximately 2.716 million individuals had their names removed from the voter list, with many unable to cast their votes. Justice Shivaganam also presided over the case of Congress candidate Motab Sheikh, whose name was also struck from the list.

What Did T.S. Shivaganam Accomplish?

The tribunal led by retired Justice T.S. Shivaganam reinstated 1,717 names to the voter list, while the entire election commission managed to restore only 1,607 names across the state. A total of 19 tribunals were formed to resolve disputes, with only one tribunal addressing 1,717 appeals between April 5 and April 27.

Questions Arise Regarding Other Tribunals

Given that there were 18 additional tribunals established for West Bengal, questions are being raised about how many cases were resolved by the remaining tribunals and how many more names could have been added to the voter list. According to a report by a news outlet, Justice T.S. Shivaganam's tribunal approved all 1,717 appeals, rejecting only 60 appeals from the election commission.

The Case of Motab Sheikh

The tribunal reinstated Motab Sheikh's name after reviewing his passport and other documents. Sheikh had contested in the elections and recorded a victory. The election commission has yet to provide any comments on this entire situation.

Purpose of Establishing the Tribunals

The Supreme Court assigned this responsibility to judges due to a lack of trust between the state government and the election commission. Over 3.4 million appeals were filed, yet only 19 tribunals were created. There are ongoing concerns about how many names the other 18 tribunals managed to restore, as no data has been released regarding this matter.