SIR 2.0 Crisis? SC Slams States Over BLO Threats, Warns of Anarchy

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday took serious note of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other officials engaged in Special Intensive Revision 2.0 being "threatened" in West Bengal and other states

and asked the Election Commission to bring such instances to its notice or "it will cause anarchy."The bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi asked the poll panel to take serious notice of the lack of cooperation by different state governments in the work for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. "Bring to our notice instances of lack of cooperation, hindrances to work of BLOs and we will pass appropriate orders," the bench told senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Election Commission (EC).Also Read | How Assam's 'SIR' Different From SIR in 12 States: What We KnowDwivedi stated that if the situation worsens, the Election Commission would be left with no choice but to place the police --currently under the state government --on deputation. Justice Bagchi, however, noted that the poll panel cannot assume control of the police until the election process formally begins.Dwivedi said the EC has all constitutional powers to deal with instances of BLOs and other officials engaged in SIR work being threatened."Deal with the situation or it will cause anarchy," Justice Kant told Dwivedi while terming the situation "very serious".Dwivedi pointed out that there was no question of BLOs being driven to commit suicides due to stress in West Bengal as they have to do enumeration work of six-seven houses of 30-35 voters.Justice Bagchi said it is not desk work and the BLOs have to go door to door, fill the enumeration form and then upload it."It is not as simple as it looks," Justice Bagchi observed.Senior advocate V Giri, appearing for petitioner Sanatani Sangsad and others, pointed out that the petitioners have alleged violence and threats against BLOs and other officials engaged in SIR work and sought directions to the EC to protect them.

UP BLO’s Chilling Last Words Before Suicide

The recent deaths of several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls have sparked serious concern about the heavy workload and mental pressure these frontline election officials endure. The most recent incident took place in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, where 46-year-old teacher Sarvesh Kumar-assigned as a BLO for the first time-was found dead at his home.A video later emerged in which Kumar apologises to his family for not being able to finish his duties and urges them to look after his four daughters. He reportedly said he wanted to live but the pressure had become “too much.” A note recovered from his home suggests he was overwhelmed by work-related stress.In his handwritten suicide note, Singh said, “Nights barely pass and days bring no peace… I want to live, but what can I do? In this restlessness and suffocation, I feel scared within myself.”Singh's wife, Babli, said that he had been sleeping only two to three hours a night for several days. "He struggled with understanding the digital process, especially form uploads and daily targets and feared disciplinary action. He was continuously receiving messages from officials demanding updates and warning him of consequences if work was not completed.”