Full Breakdown
Kapil Sibal Says He Has Lost Trust in the Supreme Court Over Voter-Roll and Protest Restrictions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
At a press conference on October 10 (scheduled), Sibal also condemned the security measures imposed ahead of a Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar, questioning the detention of roughly 1,000 protesters and the use of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to restrict movement.
Background & Context
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise revises voter lists nationwide, prompting petitions that claim names have been incorrectly removed or added. Sibal cited West Bengal appellate tribunals, which have restored voters’ names in 93 % of appeals decided so far, to argue that the revision process warrants greater judicial scrutiny. The same day, authorities announced a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. Police cited lack of permission and invoked preventive measures, including cancellation of train arrivals, closure of metro stations, internet throttling and restrictions on hotel bookings.
Official Statements & Responses
On October 9 (occurred), the Supreme Court heard an urgent mention filed by Sibal on behalf of CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby. Following the hearing, the court ordered a reduction in the number of metro stations to be closed from 57 to 45, while maintaining the ban on train arrivals. No further relief on the voter-roll petitions was reported.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am tired of keeping on going to the Supreme Court. I am speaking for myself. I don't think there is any use of going there. I don't have much hope in the Supreme Court of India,” — Kapil Sibal
- “If anyone can save the Constitution, it is the Supreme Court,” — Kapil Sibal
- “We go to the Court, but I don't know if we will get any relief,” — Kapil Sibal
These statements capture Sibal’s frustration with the judiciary’s perceived inaction and his appeal to the Court’s constitutional role, while highlighting the broader dispute over electoral-roll revisions and the limits of preventive policing in democratic protests.