Bihar Voter List Row: SC Says 'Every Document Can Be Forged', Presses ECI On Aadhaar, EPIC Use

Last Updated:July 28, 2025, 13:50 IST

While the court refused to stay the ongoing SIR process for now, it noted that the ECI's affidavit states everyone on the January 2025 voter rolls will be included in draft list.

Supreme Court of India (File Photo)

The Supreme Court on Monday raised serious concerns during the hearing of petitions challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and questioned the exclusion process and the non-acceptance of Aadhaar and EPIC as conclusive proof of identity.

The court asked the Election Commission, “Will you accept Aadhaar and EPIC?" and noted that since the electoral roll is under revision, “EPIC is not conclusive." It further observed, “According to your list, none of the documents on the list is conclusive. If you are uploading the form with the EPIC… with Aadhaar, then Aadhaar is proof of identity."

Justice Surya Kant remarked, “Any document on Earth can be forged." The bench again asked, “Why don’t you accept Aadhaar and EPIC?"

The ECI responded, “We are saying Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship… but they can file Aadhaar as proof of identity. Our form says give your Aadhaar number." When pressed further, the ECI clarified, “Our form mentions Aadhaar."

The bench also questioned the current framework, asking, “So if tomorrow even the other 10 documents are found forged, where is the mechanism? There should be en masse inclusion… why is there en masse exclusion?" The court directed the ECI to “give us the time schedule of what happens if someone is excluded."

While the court refused to stay the ongoing SIR process for now, it noted that the ECI’s affidavit states everyone on the January 2025 voter rolls will be included in the draft list.

The apex court also asked all counsels to provide a schedule outlining the time each of them is likely to take to present their arguments in the case concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.

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