New Delhi, July 28 : Supreme Court on Monday declined to put a stay on the publication of draft electoral rolls in Bihar, which is set to go to polls soon. The court said it will give a final decision on the pleas challenging the Election Commission’s special revision of the voter list.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the schedule for the final hearing will be set on July 29.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing an NGO, urged the court to stop the publication of the draft rolls. However, the bench noted that the petitioners had earlier not pressed for interim relief, and therefore, such relief could not be granted now.
The court directed the Election Commission to continue accepting Aadhaar cards and voter IDs for the revision process in Bihar. It said both documents carry a “presumption of genuineness” and should be accepted as valid proof.
The bench added that while ration cards can be easily forged, Aadhaar and voter ID cards hold more credibility.
The top court’s remarks came as it prepares for a conclusive hearing on the matter later this week. (KNS)
