The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide a detailed response to a petition challenging the deletion of over 65 lakh voters from the draft electoral roll in Bihar. The petition raised serious concerns about the transparency and legality of such mass deletions, alleging that many voters, particularly from marginalized communities, may have been disenfranchised without proper verification or notice. A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud took note of the issue and emphasized that the right to vote is fundamental to democracy and cannot be curtailed arbitrarily. The Court asked the ECI to file an affidavit detailing the district-wise breakdown of the deleted voters, the specific reasons for each deletion—such as death, migration, or duplication—and whether adequate notice and opportunity to respond were given to affected individuals. The Court also inquired about the verification process followed by the commission. The matter is scheduled for hearing in two weeks. Meanwhile, political parties in Bihar have reacted strongly, with opposition leaders hailing the court’s intervention as a step toward protecting voter rights, while the ruling NDA has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. With state elections approaching, the issue has gained significant political importance, and the Supreme Court’s scrutiny is expected to bring more transparency to the electoral process.