Form 7 row: Supreme Court directs EC to probe bulk applications during Uttar Pradesh SIR

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Election Commission (EC) to examine allegations of irregularities in the bulk submission of Form 7 applications during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh and take necessary corrective measures.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked the petitioners to submit a note to the EC detailing the "unresolved irregularities" they had flagged."The irregularities which have been brought to the notice of the court shall be submitted to senior counsel appearing for the Election Commission of India by way of a note. On receipt thereof, let the Election Commission examine the factual aspects, thereafter take necessary corrective steps and file a compliance report," the bench said, according to PTI.The Supreme Court was hearing petitions filed by Congress MP Tanuj Punia and others challenging the SIR exercise in Uttar Pradesh. More than 13 crore electors were included in the final electoral roll ahead of the assembly elections scheduled in the state early next year.The opposition has alleged that over 2.04 crore names were removed from the electoral rolls during the revision.During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners alleged that 32 Form 7 applications had been submitted in one constituency to target members of a particular community.Senior advocate DS Naidu, appearing for the EC, acknowledged that bulk Form 7 applications had been filed but said no action had been taken on them."We found that bulk Form 7 applications had been submitted. Our officers checked and cross-checked them. They were false, and we have not acted upon them," Naidu told the court.Following the submissions, the CJI-led bench directed the EC to examine the matter.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.