SC on SIR Prior to the Bihar elections, there is a lot of discussion about Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The decision by the Supreme Court to make Aadhaar the 12th document is a relief to Bihar voters. Earlier, the Election Commission published a list of 11 papers needed to get a citizenship certificate. According to the court, an Aadhar card does not serve as evidence of citizenship.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue is gathering more and more traction as the Bihar elections draw near. Many people’s names are allegedly missing from the voter list. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has issued a relief decision for the people of Bihar. The Aadhar card might potentially be considered the 12th document, according to the Supreme Court.
All Bihar residents were required to provide their citizenship certificates under SIR by the Election Commission. In order to verify citizenship, the Election Commission released a list of eleven papers. However, the Supreme Court has recently mandated that the Aadhar card be included as the twelfth document.
The Supreme Court said in its ruling on SIR that the Aadhaar card might be added to the list. It is not, however, a legitimate kind of citizenship. Hence, the Election Commission holds the discretion to verify the authenticity of the Aadhaar card if it deems necessary.
List of 11 Election Commission papers
- Employee identity cards and pension payment instructions from Central and State Governments and Public Sector Organizations
- Identity cards, government, local government, bank, post office, LIC, and public sector papers issued prior to July 1, 1987
- A birth certificate from the appropriate authorities
- A passport
- Matriculation and other credentials from accredited universities and boards
- Certificate of Permanent Residence
- Certificate of Forest Rights
- Caste certificates provided by the appropriate authorities for OBC, SC, and ST
- Where accessible, the National Register of Citizens
- State or local authorities compile the family registration.
- Any government-issued certificate of land or home allocation
SC: Aadhaar is not evidence of citizenship.
Let us inform you that the Supreme Court heard a challenge against the Election Commission‘s SIR procedure. The Supreme Court previously ruled in this case that the Aadhaar Act does not allow an Aadhaar card to serve as evidence of citizenship.
The Supreme Court’s ruling remains unwavering.
Nonetheless, the Election Commission has the authority to verify the validity of the Aadhar card even if it is not one of the eleven papers it has recommended.