The Supreme Court on Monday declined to pass an interim order suspending Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying it must first hear the Election Commission’s response.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notices to the Centre, the ECI, Kumar, and the two other Election Commissioners. The bench questioned how the poll panel would function if the CEC were suspended.

The petition alleged that 14 crucial decisions on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls were taken unilaterally by Kumar, despite objections from the two other commissioners. The claim was based on an Indian Express report.

The court said decisions of the Commission must be unanimous or by majority. “If there is any violation, we will undo,” the Chief Justice observed. The Centre and the EC must file responses within a week.

The plea also sought an SIT probe into voter deletions. The court said an order cannot be passed without hearing the other side.