Writer and columnist Aakar Patel has shared his experience with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, highlighting the difficulties surrounding document verification and electoral-roll checks. His column, published on September 17, 2026, describes how he appeared for an SIR hearing after receiving a notice asking him to attend the verification process.
According to Patel’s account, several of his important documents were no longer available. He said his birth certificate and school-leaving certificate had been lost during the 2006 Surat floods, while his passport was with a court. He nevertheless submitted other documents, including bank and property-related records, during the verification.
Patel said the official handling his hearing completed the process within a few minutes and accepted the documents he had available. However, he noted that it remained uncertain whether the submitted documents would ultimately be considered sufficient for the verification process.
The SIR exercise involves reviewing electoral rolls and verifying voter details. Reports indicate that the revision process has been extended to several states, including Telangana, with house-to-house verification forming part of the exercise.
Patel’s article has therefore drawn attention to a broader issue faced by voters whose old records may have been lost, damaged or become difficult to produce. The experience also highlights the importance of voters checking their electoral-roll details and understanding the documentation requirements applicable to the SIR process.
One of the central issues discussed in Patel’s column was the loss of important personal documents. He said that his birth certificate and school-leaving certificate had been washed away during the Surat floods of 2006. He also stated that his passport was currently with a court.
Patel described how the loss of these documents made the verification process more complicated. However, he said he still had other records, including bank statements and property documents, which he submitted during the hearing.
The documents were reportedly accepted by the official, although Patel acknowledged that he did not know whether the records would ultimately be considered sufficient. The final outcome of his individual verification was not established in the published account.