SC Clarifies: "Modified Form 6 Not Approved By Us" — Contradicts EC Claim During SIR Row

  New Delhi, Oct 5: While hearing pleas seeking suspension and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday, the Supreme Court clarified that it had *not approved any modified version of Form 6* used for enrolling new voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

“Any modified Form 6 has not been approved by us. Let's be clear. When the record is produced, we would like to see who has modified it,” observed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

The observation is significant because on *September 26*, the Election Commission had issued a press statement claiming: “The declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court.”

A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a batch of petitions alleging that CEC Kumar took decisions unilaterally without the concurrence of the other two Election Commissioners — Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

The petitions were filed after an _Indian Express_ expose claimed decisions were taken in the name of the ECI despite objections recorded by Sandhu and Joshi at least *14 times between Oct 2025 and Aug 2026* concerning the SIR process.

What is Form 6 controversy?

Form 6 is the application used by eligible citizens to seek inclusion in electoral rolls for the first time. The controversy relates to an additional online declaration added during SIR, where a person applying must state if they or their parents were mapped in the previous SIR. Such a requirement was not in the earlier Form 6, and two Election Commissioners had reportedly objected that it cannot be done without amending the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

What SC said today:

Refused interim order to suspend CEC: "A news report may be 100% correct, partially or incorrect. We cannot pass an order on that basis today. We would definitely want their response."

"They [ECI] are expected to take unanimous decisions... if there is no unanimity, it has to be by majority."

"If any decision taken by Election Commission is found not to be in accordance with law, then we will annul it."

"Modified Form 6 has not been approved by us. Let us be very clear."

The Court issued notice to the ECI, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, and ECs Sandhu and Joshi, and the Centre, asking for replies within a week.

The clarification triggered political reactions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said "It is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally." Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said "Obviously and very clearly the CEC lied."