A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was informed that thousands of voters were marked absent in Mumbai and Pune because of the home development projects in these cities. File image for representational purposes.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Supreme Court on Monday (October 26, 2026) orally assured that no voter whose name was deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Maharashtra will face prosecution for merely applying for re-registration in the electoral roll by filing Form 6.

The oral observations came during a hearing in which the court agreed to urgently take up in November 5, a plea challenging the deletion of voters in the Maharashtra SIR.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was informed that thousands of voters were marked absent in Mumbai and Pune because of the home development projects in these cities.

“Old residential buildings are undergoing redevelopment for new flats. As a result, residents are shifted out. They number in thousands. They are all found to be marked absent in the SIR and later deleted from the electoral roll,” senior advocate Arvind Datar, foe petitioner Arun Anantagiri, submitted.

He said there were 3,500 such redevelopment projects in Mumbai and 1,500 in Pune.

Mr. Dattar also pointed out that deleted voters are being compelled to submit Form 6 (application to register as a new voter) and represent themselves as fresh voters.

“Pre-existing voters misrepresenting themselves as fresh voters is an offence and liable for prosecution,” Mr. Datar submitted.

“Do not worry. Nobody will be prosecuted,” Chief Justice Kant responded orally.

Mr. Datar said new Form should be notified exclusively for deleted voters in the SIR.

He noted that October 26 was the final date for filing claims and objections regarding the draft electoral roll while seeking a short date for hearing.

Published – October 26, 2026 01:55 pm IST