The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to hear a petition filed by former residents of Akbar Nagar in Lucknow who alleged that their names were removed from Uttar Pradesh’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls after their homes were demolished in 2024.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the case involved disputed facts that cannot be examined directly under Article 32 of the Constitution. The Court asked the petitioners to approach the appropriate electoral authorities first.
“We direct the District Election Officer to ascertain the facts and take remedial steps as per law,” the Bench ordered.
The Court added that if the residents’ grievances are not addressed, they may move the Allahabad High Court. The judges clarified that they have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case.
Residents Claim Names Deleted After Demolition
Senior Advocate MR Shamshad, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the names of 91 former residents had appeared in the 2025 electoral exercise but were later removed because they no longer had an identifiable address after the demolition drive.
CJI Surya Kant observed that the matter required a factual inquiry. “We are on the question of factual enquiry. High Court can look into this,” he said during the hearing.
The demolition in Akbar Nagar in 2024 had affected nearly 15,000 residents living along the Kukrail river bank. At that time, the Supreme Court had declined to interfere with the Allahabad High Court’s decision that upheld the demolition, noting that the colony stood on a floodplain and the residents’ claims were based on adverse possession.
The latest order leaves it to the District Election Officer to verify whether the names were wrongly excluded and to take corrective steps if necessary.
