NEW DELHI (February 23, 2026) — The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Lucknow District Election Officer to investigate the grievances of 91 residents of Akbar Nagar who were allegedly excluded from the Uttar Pradesh electoral rolls. The petitioners, represented by Sana Parveen and others, claim they were disenfranchised during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) following the demolition of their homes in September 2023. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi ruled that the local administration must verify the claims and take remedial measures to protect the residents’ democratic rights.
Displacement and Loss of “Identifiable Abode”
The 91 petitioners were long-term residents of Akbar Nagar, a locality in Lucknow that saw large-scale demolitions in late 2023 as part of a riverfront development project. According to the petition, many of the affected individuals have been on the voter list since 2002, with younger family members appearing in subsequent revisions.
The primary obstacle to their inclusion in the current SIR process is the lack of a permanent residential address. Senior Advocate M. R. Shamshad, appearing for the residents, argued that the demolition of “unauthorised” structures—a move previously upheld by the judiciary—should not result in the loss of voting rights. The petitioners sought a directive allowing them to submit enumeration forms to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) despite their temporary lack of an “identifiable abode.”
Judicial Directive and High Court Liberty
Initially, the Supreme Court expressed reluctance to intervene, noting that a writ petition under Article 32 was not the ideal vehicle for resolving disputed factual matters regarding residence. However, recognizing the potential for mass disenfranchisement, the bench opted to refer the matter back to the district authorities for a factual inquiry.
The court’s order outlined several key points:
- Factual Enquiry: The District Collector (acting as the District Election Officer) must ascertain whether the petitioners were previously included in the voter lists and evaluate their current eligibility.
- Remedial Action: If the grievances are found to be valid, the officer is directed to take immediate steps to include the displaced residents in the supplementary electoral rolls.
- Legal Recourse: The bench granted the petitioners the liberty to approach the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court should they fail to receive effective relief from the district administration.
Context of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
The order comes amid a broader national effort by the Election Commission of India to refine voter lists through the Special Intensive Revision process. The court has recently been involved in similar disputes elsewhere, including directing the deployment of judicial officers in West Bengal to oversee the adjudication of claims and objections.
In the case of Akbar Nagar, the bench emphasised that administrative inquiries into voter eligibility should not be hampered by the ongoing transition of residents into rehabilitation housing provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Sources
- The Hindu: “Bulldozer demolition drive: Supreme Court asks district election officer to address issue of people lacking ‘identifiable abode’” (February 23, 2026)
- LawBeat: “Supreme Court rejects plea by Akbarnagar demolition-hit residents over UP SIR” (February 23, 2026)
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “SC directs Lucknow election officer to probe exclusion of 91 displaced residents from voter list” (February 23, 2026)
- Land Conflict Watch: “1,800 structures razed in Lucknow’s Akbar Nagar for riverfront project” (Updated June 2024)
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