THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, April 2: The Supreme Court on Thursday strongly criticised the West Bengal administration over an attack on judicial officers engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work in Malda district. The Court ordered that the investigation be handed over to an independent agency such as the CBI or NIA.
According to the Court, the judicial officers were held hostage by protesters from the afternoon until midnight. Their vehicles were later attacked with stones and bamboo sticks during evacuation.
Supreme Court takes suo motu action
A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi, registered a suo motu case after receiving a report from the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice.
The incident took place in a village in Malda, where officials conducting election-related SIR duties were surrounded and prevented from leaving.
“No action taken for hours”: Court recounts events
The bench noted that the gherao began around 3:30 PM. Despite repeated requests by the High Court Registrar General, no effective action was taken by the State administration until late evening.
The Court observed that even necessities like food and water were not provided to the officers. The situation was resolved only after direct intervention by senior officials, and the officers were released after midnight.
However, while returning, their vehicles were attacked, raising serious concerns about law and order in West Bengal.
CJI criticises state officials, calls it “criminal failure”
CJI Surya Kant stated that urgent late-night intervention was required to ensure the safety of the officers.
The Court expressed “extreme disappointment” with the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police (DGP), the District Magistrate, and the Superintendent of Police, calling their response “highly deplorable.”
It described the incident as a “criminal failure of administration” and a “deliberate attempt” to demoralise judicial officers and obstruct the electoral process.
The Court also warned that such actions could amount to criminal contempt of court.
Debate in court: ‘Apolitical protest’ or breakdown of law and order?
Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy described the protest as “apolitical,” but the CJI questioned why political leaders failed to control the situation.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the incident was isolated and should not be seen as a breakdown of law and order across the State. However, the Solicitor General and other counsel termed the incident “unacceptable” and an attack on the authority of the Supreme Court.
Court issues strict directions to ECI and State
To ensure the safety of judicial officers and the smooth continuation of SIR work, the Supreme Court issued key directions:
- Deployment of Central Forces at all SIR duty locations
- Immediate security measures for judicial officers and their families
- Controlled entry (3–5 persons at a time) at adjudication centres
- Full cooperation between Election Commission of India (ECI) and State authorities
- Independent probe by CBI or NIA
Officials summoned, next hearing on April 6
The Chief Secretary, DGP, District Magistrate, and SSP have been issued show-cause notices. They have been directed to appear virtually before the Court on April 6 at 4 PM.
Strong remarks from the bench
After the hearing, the CJI made sharp remarks on the situation in West Bengal, highlighting political polarisation and administrative failure.
He stated that the Court had attempted to create a neutral system by involving judicial officers in the electoral process, but the incident showed serious lapses in governance and accountability.