Supreme Court Directs Voters Excluded from Rolls in West Bengal to Approach Calcutta High Court, Tribunals

April 24, 2026 : The Supreme Court of India on Friday directed individuals challenging their exclusion from electoral rolls in West Bengal to seek relief before the Calcutta High Court or the concerned Appellate Tribunals.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymala Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi observed that if affected individuals could demonstrate urgency, their cases may be taken up on a priority basis. The Court clarified that petitioners were free to approach the High Court either on its administrative or judicial side and could also seek urgent hearings before the tribunals.

The Bench noted that most of the concerns surrounding exclusion from electoral rolls had already been addressed in its earlier order dated April 13. However, it acknowledged that fresh issues could continue to arise and would require consideration at the level of the High Court or the tribunals.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kalyan Banerjee informed the Court that despite a large number of cases, only a limited number of appeals had been decided by the tribunals, highlighting the need for faster disposal.

The Court said parties were at liberty to raise their concerns before the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court for appropriate administrative action to ensure timely adjudication.

Earlier, the apex court had directed that individuals whose appeals against exclusion were allowed before specified cut-off dates would be permitted to vote in the relevant phases of the elections. It had also made it clear that merely having a pending appeal would not entitle a person to vote.

West Bengal recorded a high voter turnout of 92% in the first phase of polling held on April 23. The second phase is scheduled for April 29.