NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday took serious notice on Malda incident where seven judicial officers engaged in the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise were held hostage for several hours. The court also issued showcause notices to top West Bengal officials, including the chief secretary and DGP.The strong response came after reports that the officers, including three women, were detained in Malda by a group of voters whose names had been deleted from the electoral rolls.The court asked the chief secretary and DGP to explain why action should not be taken against them, calling the incident an “abdication of duty” and seeking reasons for their “inaction.”Terming the episode “deplorable,” the top court said the protest appeared to be a “calculated and motivated” attempt to demoralise judicial officers and disrupt the ongoing electoral process. It added that it would not allow anyone to interfere with the process or take the law into their own hands to carry out a psychological attack on officials.The court observed that it was imperative for the Mamata Banerjee-led state government to inform the Election Commission and seek deployment of central forces to ensure the safety of judicial officers. It also allowed the Election Commission to seek either a CBI or NIA probe into the incident.Noting a “complete breakdown of law and order” in the state, the court directed that central forces be deployed to protect officers handling objections under the SIR process.The Supreme Court further appealed to leaders across political parties not to politicise the issue and to speak in one voice on ensuring the safety of officials performing their duties. It also stressed that those entrusted with maintaining law and order must remain more vigilant.
What happened in Malda
The incident took place during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Seven judicial officers, including three women, were surrounded and held for several hours by protesters.Officials said the protest began outside the Kaliachak 2 Block Development Office when people demanded a meeting with the officers. After being denied entry, the crowd started protesting around 4 pm and later blocked the premises, continuing late into the night.The protests were triggered by the deletion of names from voter lists and spread across Malda, with road blockades reported in multiple areas, affecting normal life.
BJP reacts
Union minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar condemned the incident and blamed the situation on statements by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.In a video message, he alleged that the officers’ vehicles were vandalised and roads were blocked during the incident. He also said the situation in West Bengal was worrying.“What happened is something that scares everyone. 7 judicial magistrates had gone there. They were not only stopped there but their vehicles were also vandalised. When SP was rescuing them from there, women judicial magistrates’ vehicles were vandalised. Roads were blocked to see that no vehicle passes through. During the rule of Left Front, Anita Dewan – a woman official, was dragged out of her vehicle and beaten to death. This was a similar plan. Mamata Banerjee’s continuous instigating statements are responsible for this,” said Majumdar.
