West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee leaves the Supreme Court premises in New Delhi on February 7, 2026. Photo credit: PTI
Mostari Banu, a Murshidabad woman who claims to be the original petitioner in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) case before the Supreme Court, alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee “stole the limelight” when she appeared before the apex court on February 4.
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Ms. Banu, who hails from Bhagwangola in Murshidabad and is associated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said she filed a harassment complaint a few weeks ago during the ongoing SIR in the state.
“In response to my request, the Supreme Court issued directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 19, but on February 4, the West Bengal Chief Minister went to the Supreme Court and claimed that she was the original petitioner in the matter,” the woman said.
On February 4, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in person before a bench of Chief Justice of India Justice Surjya Kant and raised several issues regarding the ongoing SIR, including summoning people for hearing due to logical discrepancies.
On February 5, CPI(M) State Secretary Md. Salim held a press conference and harshly attacked a section of the media that the woman who filed the original petition was ignored by the media. The CPI(M) leader was also accompanied by lawyer Sabyasachi Chatterjee, who is representing Mostari Banu, and said there was no provision under the Representatives of the People Act, 1950, which allowed data to be obtained from people through enumeration forms.
Ms. Banu said she voted in 2002 but was issued a notice to appear before the ECI during the ongoing SIR. “We are philosophically opposed to SIR. Mostari Banu is the real victim of the process and that is why she approached the Supreme Court,” Mr Salim said.
Ms Banerjee’s personal appearance before the Supreme Court was a shot in the arm for the Trinamool Congress and the party declared it a “big victory”.
Published – 08 Feb 2026 03:23 IST