UP SIR: Supreme Court declines to hear Akbar Nagar residents' plea against exclusion, tells them to approach DEO

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a plea by former residents of Lucknow’s Akbar Nagar who claimed that their names were excluded from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh following the demolition of their homes in 2024.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the plea raised disputed questions of fact that cannot be examined in a petition under Article 32.

The Court, therefore, directed the electoral authorities, particularly the district election officer (DEO), to verify the claims of 91 residents.

"We direct the District election officer to ascertain the facts and take remedial steps as per law," the Court ordered.

It added that if their grievance is not redressed, they may approach the Allahabad High Court. The Bench clarified that it has not expressed any view on the merits of the claims.

Senior Advocate MR Shamshad, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that the residents' names were reflected in the electoral exercised conducted in 2025 but have now been excluded on the ground that they do not have any identifiable address.

The Court suggested that the matter can be heard by the High Court

“We are on the question of factual enquiry. High Court can look into this," CJI Kant said.

The Bench then granted liberty to the petitioners to pursue remedies before the High Court, if necessary.

In 2024, Supreme Court had declined to interfere with the Allahabad High Court decision to not interfere with the demolition of structures in Akbar Nagar.

The drive affected about 15,000 residents residing along the Kukrail river bank.

The Court had agreed with the view of Allahabad High Court that the colony was constructed on a floodplain area and the petitioners' claim was based on adverse possession.