Supreme Court to Hear Pleas Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Over ECI Functioning and SIR
The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday, October 5, 2026. The petitions raise questions about alleged unilateral decision-making within the poll panel and seek judicial intervention in matters concerning the electoral roll revision exercise.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, is scheduled to hear the matter. The petitions come at a time when the Election Commission is facing increased political and public scrutiny over the implementation of SIR across the country.
What Are the Petitions Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar About?
The petitions question whether decisions concerning the Election Commission can be taken by the Chief Election Commissioner without the concurrence of the other Election Commissioners. Petitioners have alleged that certain important decisions were taken without adequate collective approval.
One petition seeks action against alleged unilateral decisions and asks the court to examine the functioning of the Commission. Another petition has sought stronger measures, including an investigation into decisions associated with the SIR exercise. Reports have also highlighted alleged differences between CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
SIR Electoral Roll Revision at the Centre of Controversy
The **Special Intensive Revision (SIR)** of electoral rolls has become one of the major issues surrounding the current dispute. The exercise is intended to verify electoral records and identify eligible voters, while the Election Commission has maintained that the process is aimed at ensuring accurate and reliable voter lists.
Opposition parties and other critics, however, have raised concerns about the possibility of eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls. Reuters reported that the voter-verification drive has generated allegations of large-scale exclusions, while the Election Commission has defended the process and rejected claims that it is politically motivated.
Growing Political Pressure on the Election Commission
The legal challenge comes amid increasing political protests demanding accountability from the Election Commission and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On October 4, opposition leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray led a protest in Mumbai, with demonstrators raising concerns over SIR and the functioning of the poll panel.
Reuters also reported that protests intensified in Delhi and Mumbai on Sunday, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of the Election Commission chief. The allegations have been rejected by the Election Commission and the BJP.
Why the Supreme Court Hearing Matters
The Supreme Court's hearing could have wider implications for the functioning and independence of India's constitutional election machinery. At the heart of the matter is the question of **collective decision-making within the Election Commission** and the legal framework governing the powers of the Chief Election Commissioner.
The court's proceedings may also provide greater clarity on the legal challenges surrounding SIR and the authority under which major decisions related to electoral rolls are taken.
For now, the Supreme Court is expected to examine the petitions and the issues raised by the petitioners. Any directions issued by the court could become significant for the ongoing electoral-roll revision process and the broader debate over transparency and accountability in India's election system.
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