New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that it has neither approved nor disapproved the Election Commission (EC)’s revised Form 6, which is used to register new voters.
The court said the modified form was not in existence when it heard the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) case, and its earlier observations cannot be treated as a decision on the changes.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana made the clarification while hearing a petition challenging the EC’s actions. The judges explained that the legality of the revised form had not been examined by the court. The clarification followed a submission by the petitioner’s counsel, who alleged that the EC had presented the revised form as having the apex court’s approval. This is very important.
“What was said was that when the Bihar SIR matter was before us, the new Form 6 was not there. The lawyer referred to the court’s observations on October 5 and sought directions on the issue. “On October 5, this court had already declared that Form 6 was not approved by the Supreme Court of India. But the Election Commission has published that the changed Form 6 has been approved by the Supreme Court.
That does not mean it was either approved or disapproved by the Supreme Court,” Justice Bagchi said. I am seeking a direction regarding this,” the counsel said. Chief Justice Surya Kant told the lawyer that the issue had not been brought before the court for adjudication.
