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News 18 of 20

Calcutta HC Cancels Leaves, Forms District Committees Under SC Order to Supervise West Bengal Electoral Roll Revision Until March 9

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
21 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:21.02.2026 to 09.03.2026Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 1089/2025
Bodies:Supreme CourtCalcutta High CourtElection Commission of India
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What This Article Covers

1.Calcutta High Court bars all judicial officers from taking leave or attending outstation programs until March 9, and cancels training programs.

2.A district-level committee comprising the District Judge, District Magistrate, and Superintendent of Police is formed in each district to ensure compliance with SC orders on electoral roll revision.

3.The SC's 'extraordinary' direction stems from a perceived 'trust deficit' between the West Bengal government and the Election Commission, mandating judicial oversight for fairness.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Calcutta High Court, acting on Supreme Court directions, has suspended all leave and training for judicial officers to ensure their full-time supervision of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. This is an extraordinary judicial intervention to address a 'trust deficit' and ensure electoral integrity.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

SC Order Date20 February 2026
Leave Ban Period21 February 2026 to 9 March 2026
Committee Members per DistrictDistrict Judge, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police
Supreme Court Case ReferenceWrit Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 1089/2025 with connected IAs

1-Minute Revision

  • ›SC Order Date: 20 February 2026
  • ›Leave Ban Period: 21 February 2026 to 9 March 2026
  • ›Target this Data: The leave ban period is from 21.02.2026 to 09.03.2026.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The three-member committee in each district comprises the District Judge, District Magistrate, and Superintendent of Police.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The Supreme Court's direction was issued in Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 1089/2025.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

As per the Supreme Court's direction mentioned in the article, which category of officials was requested to supervise the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the directives issued by the Calcutta High Court:

1. All judicial officers are refrained from taking any leave, including station leave, until March 9, 2026.

2. Judicial officers who are under transfer orders are permitted to avail transit leave before joining their new assignments.

3. Training programmes for judicial officers at the West Bengal Judicial Academy have been deferred.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

Until which date did the Calcutta High Court cancel all pre-approved leaves for judicial officers, except under medical emergency?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary reason cited by the Supreme Court for its 'extraordinary' direction to involve judicial officers in the electoral roll revision process?

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