The Election Commission of India has handed over the case involving protests in Malda, West Bengal, where judicial officers involved in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work were reportedly held hostage, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The move comes in accordance with the Supreme Court of India's instructions issued on 2 April.
"I am directed to request that the necessary inquiry/investigation into the matter be conducted, and a preliminary inquiry report be submitted to the Hon'ble court as per directions," Sujeet Kumar Mishra, Secretary, ECI, wrote to DG, NIA.
A team of NIA is expected to visit West Bengal on Friday, the poll panel said.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court took a serious note of protests in West Bengal, where judicial officers involved in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work were reportedly held hostage.
The top court, taking Suo motu cognisance, directed the Election Commission of India to entrust the enquiry into the incident to either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
“We direct ECI to entrust the enquiry /Investigation into yesterday's incident to either the CBI or NIA. The compliance report shall be submitted to this court. The agency shall be obligated to submit a preliminary enquiry report directly to this court,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said during a hearing on SIR in West Bengal, according to legal news website Bar and Bench.
As many as seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage by villagers in Malda district on Wednesday. The standoff was triggered by mass deletions from the electoral rolls under the ongoing SIR process.
Terming the incident a brazen and deliberate attempt to obstruct the administration of justice, a bench led by CJI Surya Kant noted with concern that despite prior intimation, the State authorities failed to act promptly, leaving judicial officers without protection, food, or water for hours. The Court has issued show-cause notices to senior State officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and Director General of Police, for their inaction.
“This incident is a brazen attempt not only to browbeat judicial officers but also challenges authority of this court. It was not routine incident but appears to be acalculated, motivated move to demoralise the judicial officers and stop the ongoing process of adjudicating of objections in left out cases,” the CJI said.
Mamata Blames EC
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee distanced herself from the Malda incident that drew sharp criticism from the Supreme Court, saying law and order was no longer “in her hands" and blaming the Election Commission for failing to protect officials.
“The Chief Secretary and DGP do not contact me anymore. Since everything has been taken away from me, maintaining law and order is now your responsibility," Banerjee said.
