New Delhi, April 2 The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed serious concern over seven judicial officers involved in the SIR exercise being "held hostage" in Malda district, West Bengal, calling it "deplorable" and seeking responses from the state home secretary, DGP, and other officials for their "inaction".
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi allowed the Election Commission to seek either CBI or NIA investigation into the unfortunate incident.
The court stated that the incident appears to be a "calculated" and "motivated move to demoralize judicial officers" and to disrupt the ongoing electoral process.
Observing that the law and order machinery in the state has "broken down", the CJI strongly criticized state officials for their delayed action on the issue.
Seven judicial officers, including three women, were taken hostage by anti-social elements in Malda district, the CJI said, adding that he himself had to monitor the situation until late Wednesday night.
The top court referred to media reports on the incident and said it was a "brazen attempt not only to intimidate judicial officers but also to challenge the authority of this court".
The bench stated that it will not allow anyone to interfere and take the law into their own hands for the psychological attack on judicial officers, and asked the Election Commission to seek central forces from anywhere in the country to protect the judicial officers, their families, and other staff involved in SIR work.
Adding that it was an "abdication of duty" by the West Bengal government and its officers, the court said they will have to provide reasons for their inaction.
Seven judicial officers involved in the SIR exercise were "surrounded" for several hours in Malda district over the deletion of names from the electoral rolls, officials had said.
According to officials, the protesters initially sought a meeting with the judicial officers. After being denied entry, they began a demonstration around 4 pm on Wednesday and surrounded the premises.
Three women judicial officers were among those trapped inside the office during the protest, officials had said.
