Supreme Court denies endorsing Form 6 declaration, to hear challenge Oct 27

The Supreme Court issued a pointed clarification on Monday, stating it had not previously adjudicated on a declaration appended to Form 6 used in theStead in Relation (SIR) exercise, pushing back against claims attributed to it by the Election Commission of India.

The bench hearing the matter directed that the substantive challenge to the modified Form 6 would be examined on October 27. The clarification assumes significance given an ongoing dispute over whether the top court had previously upheld the declaration in question, with the ECI reportedly claiming judicial endorsement of the form.

The development underscores tensions between the judiciary and the electoral body over the interpretation of previous court orders. The SIR exercise allows registered, unrecognized political parties to seek recognition as state or national parties, and the form used in this process has become a point of contention.

By firmly stating it had not previously ruled on the specific declaration, the Supreme Court appears to be safeguarding its judicial independence and preventing mischaracterization of its earlier orders. The matter now advances to substantive hearings later this month, where the court will examine the legality and necessity of the declaration appended to Form 6.