KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday refused to entertain the State government's plea seeking a deferment of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI), ahead of the December elections to Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs).
Justice V.G. Arun held that similar petitions challenging SIR in other States are already pending before the Supreme Court, and therefore, judicial discipline and comity require the High Court to refrain from adjudicating the matter.
"Judicial discipline and comity require this Court not to entertain this writ petition. The writ petition is closed, leaving it open for the petitioner to move the Supreme Court or approach this Court, depending on the outcome of petitions pending before the Supreme Court, " the Court said.
The State had urged that the SIR be deferred until after December 21, the last date for completing the LSGI election process, arguing that simultaneous conduct of SIR and local body elections would severely strain administrative resources.