'Pre-Planned Move': SC Slams Bengal Admin After Judicial Officers Held Hostage In Malda, Says EC Can Seek CBI Or NIA Probe

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday lambasted the West Bengal administration after judicial officers in Malda were held hostage on Wednesday. Seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage by villagers after a standoff was triggered by mass deletions from the electoral rolls under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant said he had to give “stern orders" late at night to bring the situation under control.

“Till 11 o’clock, your Collector was not there. I had to verbally instruct very harsh orders in the night," Justice Surya Kant said.

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Justice Surya Kant stated that the Supreme Court stepped in after it was informed that several judicial officers had been held inside a government office for hours, including female officials and one who had a five-year-old child with her.

“I had to issue stern orders last night, and then only the administration came into action," the CJI further remarked.

Well Calculated Move, Says SC

The CJI remarked that it was "brazen attempt to challenge the authority of this Court". He added that efforts were made to demoralise judicial officers involved in election duties. "It was a well-calculated move to demoralise the judicial officers and to stall the process," the CJI said.

The incident was part of a broader wave of protests that paralysed Malda throughout the day, as demonstrators staged road blockades across national and state highways and key rural routes in at least five Assembly constituencies.

SC Says EC Can Seek CBI Or NIA Probe

The Supreme Court further permitted the Election Commission to seek either CBI or NIA probe into hostage taking incident. The apex court also sought responses of West Bengal DGP and others senior officers as to why action be not taken against them for their "inaction". 

This development comes after TMC supporters launched an indefinite protest near the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in Kolkata, alleging large-scale irregularities in the submission of Form 6 applications and demanding strict action against those involved.

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Earlier, BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar condemned the crisis in Malda. Criticising the recent violence, Majumdar asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statements are responsible for the prevailing volatile situation on the ground.

In a self-recorded video, the Union Minister recounted the situation, alleging that the vehicles of the judicial officers were vandalised and one female officer was dragged from her car and beaten to death. He stressed that this on-ground situation in West Bengal is scary for everyone in the country.