'Most polarised state': SC orders central forces after Bengal SIR officers held hostage for 9 hours
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court labeled West Bengal the "most polarised state" and ordered central forces to protect judicial officers after seven—including three women—were held hostage for nine hours in Malda over electoral roll deletions.
A massive protest erupted Wednesday outside Kaliachak II Block Development Office against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) deletions. Denied a meeting, protesters gheraoed the office around 4 pm, trapping the officers reviewing "under adjudication" cases (per SC directions). A five-year-old child of one officer was also inside.
Police freed the officers at 1 am amid stone-pelting that shattered car windows and protesters chasing vehicles. The unrest spread, with demonstrators blocking NH 12 using bamboo, furniture, and burning tyres.
The Election Commission's SIR process deleted 63 lakh voters, while placing another 60 lakh under review. West Bengal votes in two phases on April 23 and 29, with results on May 4.
BJP's Sukanta Majumdar blamed Mamata Banerjee govt for threats and planned assaults on officers.
Thursday bench (CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi, Vipul Pancholi) called it "pre-planned, motivated" to defy SC authority. Blasted state as "criminal failure," slamming chief secy, DGP, SP, Malda collector.
"Till 11 pm, your collector was not there. I had to verbally instruct very harsh orders at night. A 5-year-old child was not allowed food and water," CJI fumed at Bengal counsel.
Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to entrust the probe to either the NIA or CBI.