Shabnam Mondal, a 27-year-old from Kalna in Bardhaman district, West Bengal, undertook a six-hour journey to the Joka tribunal to reclaim her voting rights, only to find herself stranded outside due to heavy security measures. Despite submitting necessary documents, her name was removed from the voter rolls, allegedly because of familial ties to a common ancestor. The Supreme Court of India has issued directives to restore voting rights for those affected during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, yet logistical and administrative hurdles at the tribunal hinder access for many petitioners. Legal professionals and petitioners reported that while 19 Appellate Tribunals exist, access remains a significant barrier, with claims of 16 lakh appeals filed out of 27 lakh deleted voters. Advocates argue that the lack of district-level tribunals and online hearing options further complicates the situation for working-class individuals lacking technical resources. As the April 21 deadline approaches for the first phase of Assembly elections, the urgency to address these concerns intensifies, with petitioners like Raju Ghosh emphasizing the civil nature of the issue rather than a political one.