The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and the Election Commission of India regarding decisions allegedly taken by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar without the consent of fellow election commissioners, while declining an interim plea seeking his suspension. The apex court clarified that it did not approve modifications made to Form 6, the voter registration document requiring an additional declaration of parental electoral links during the Special Intensive Revision process. The controversy has sparked political confrontation, with the opposition alleging unilateral decisions and the ruling party denying any illegality. In a panel discussion, former Delhi High Court judge Justice S. N. Dhingra defended the poll panel’s procedural powers to seek documentation and identify non-citizens, questioning judicial overreach. In contrast, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa highlighted institutional concerns, pointing to reported internal objections by election commissioners, the lack of recorded meeting minutes, and questions surrounding deletions in West Bengal, stressing the need for institutional transparency.
