SC slams West Bengal over gherao of judicial officers in Malda; Mamata blames BJP

The Supreme Court on Thursday (April 2) expressed serious concern over the gherao of seven judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Malda, West Bengal, where protesters blocked them for several hours over deleted electoral roll names. While the officers were eventually rescued, the apex court ordered central forces to be deployed to ensure their safety.

Security forces used batons to disperse the crowd and rescued the judicial officers, including three women, late at night on Wednesday (April 1). Alleging large-scale removal of names of voters in the SIR process, the protesters also blocked National Highway 12 (Kolkata-Siliguri) on Wednesday.

Court flays administrative failure

CJI Surya Kant revealed that he had to pass urgent orders late at night to ensure the safety of the judicial officers. He said that he had been monitoring the situation until 2 am, calling it “very, very unfortunate.”

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He made a sharp remark on the political climate in West Bengal, saying, “Unfortunately, in your state, everyone speaks politically It’s the most polarised state.”

The court termed the Malda incident a “brazen attempt” to intimidate judicial officers and challenge its authority, saying it appeared to be a “calculated, motivated move” to halt the ongoing adjudication process in electoral roll revisions.

“We will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands to create psychological fear among judicial officers performing a solemn duty,” the SC bench led by the CJI said, warning that such actions could amount to criminal contempt.

It also criticised what it termed a “criminal failure” of the state administration, calling the response of the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Superintendent of Police and District Collector “highly deplorable” and expressing “extreme disappointment.”

The bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipin Pancholi, held that the episode reflected an “abdication of duty” by the state government. It questioned why officials failed to ensure safe evacuation despite being informed, and warned against any attempt to create a “psychological attack” on judicial officers.

"Till 11 o'clock your Collector was not there. I had to verbally instruct very harsh orders in night. 5-year-old child not allowed food and water!" the Chief Justice said.

The court noted that the gherao began around 3.30 pm, but no action was taken till late evening despite repeated communication from the Calcutta High Court.

BJP's gameplan, alleges Mamata

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday blamed the Election Commission for "failing to protect" judicial officers. "I condemn the Election Commission for failing to protect the judicial officers," Banerjee said, addressing an election rally here in Murshidabad district.

Claiming that the EC posted its own officers in civil and police administration after announcement of Assembly polls in the state, Banerjee accused the poll body of having "totally failed to control law and order".

Several officers, including the state's chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police (DGP), were replaced in West Bengal soon after the assembly polls were announced by the Election Commission.

"All my powers have been taken away, I have never seen such an Election Commission," the chief minister said.

Banerjee claimed that the BJP's game plan is to get the assembly polls cancelled in Bengal and to get President's Rule imposed.

"There are communal people in the BJP, and some communal people have also entered your ranks," Banerjee said, addressing the rally.

Rescue operation

The judicial officers, including three women, were at the Kaliachak 2 Block Development Office which was gheraoed by the protesters around 4 pm.

A large contingent of security forces rescued them after midnight, officials said. The judicial officials were brought out of the BDO office, even as protesters attempted to block their vehicles by placing bamboo poles on the road and tried to vandalise the cars, the officer said. The police used batons to disperse the crowd during the rescue operation, an officer said.

"A group of agitators tried to stop the vehicles carrying the judicial officers and also attempted to damage them. Our personnel had to use mild force to ensure their safe evacuation," the officer said.

Also Read: ‘Don’t dare question judicial officers’: SC warns West Bengal govt, ECI over SIR

There were also allegations that a few protesters were injured after being hit by vehicles during the commotion. However, it was yet to be confirmed.

As per directions of the Supreme Court, judicial officers are currently examining cases of voters whose names were marked "under adjudication" in the electoral rolls published on February 28 to determine whether they should be retained or deleted.

National Highway 12 blocked

According to officials, the protesters had initially sought a meeting with the judicial officers. After being denied entry, they began a demonstration and gheraoed the premises.

Even after the rescue, the blockade on National Highway 12 continued. The situation eased only after an Additional District Magistrate reached the spot late at night and assured them that the names of eligible voters would be included in the rolls within four days. Following the assurance, the protesters withdrew the blockade, the officer added.

Also Read: SC directs deployment of judicial officers for SIR in West Bengal

The Election Commission has sought a report on the incident from the Director General of Police (DGP), a senior EC official said.

West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting scheduled on May 4.

(With agency inputs)