Supreme Court Rejects Plea for SIT Probe into Bengaluru Voter List Fraud, Asks Petitioner to Approach Election Commission

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition demanding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged voter list manipulation in Bengaluru Central, directing the petitioner instead to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) for redressal.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi refused to entertain the plea, which sought the court’s intervention to halt any revisions or finalization of voter lists until an independent audit was conducted. The petition had also called for an SIT headed by a former judge to investigate the alleged irregularities.

“Approach the Election Commission,” says Supreme Court

The bench stated, “We have heard the petitioner’s counsel. We are not inclined to entertain this petition, which is purportedly filed in the public interest. The petitioner may present his petition before the Election Commission.”

With this observation, the apex court disposed of the petition, emphasizing that electoral disputes of this nature should first be addressed before the statutory authority—the Election Commission.

Petitioner's Argument and Rejection

Advocate Rohit Pandey, appearing for the petitioner, informed the court that a representation had already been filed with the Election Commission but was not accepted. He requested that the Supreme Court direct the ECI to take a decision within a fixed timeline.

However, the court declined to issue such directions, reiterating that it would not interfere at this stage.

"1783" data-end="2239">The petition referred to a press conference held by Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, where he accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of being involved in a “widespread criminal fraud” related to the voter lists in Bengaluru Central.
Gandhi had alleged that the manipulation amounted to “vote theft”, citing an independent analysis of voter rolls in a Karnataka constituency.