India, April 24 -- The Supreme Court on Friday applauded the over 92% voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, observing that democracy is strengthened when citizens actively exercise their right to vote.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, made the remarks while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the state.

"As a citizen of India, I was very happy to see the percentage of people. people realise their power in democracy through their power to vote. So, when people exercise their right to vote, this strengthens the democratic set-up," said the CJI, calling the 92.25%...