'Most polarised state': CJI Kant raps Bengal govt over 9-hour hostage of judicial officers

Hearing the matter, the Supreme Court of India sought a detailed probe into the incident, asking the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider an investigation by either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The top court also directed the poll body and the state government to ensure adequate security for judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

During the hearing, a sharp exchange unfolded after West Bengal Advocate General Kishore Dutta argued that law and order was under the ECI due to the Model Code of Conduct. CJI Kant, however, hit back strongly, terming the incident “very, very unfortunate” and revealing he had monitored developments till 2 am.

“In your state, everyone speaks a political language. This is the most polarised state… Do you think we are not aware of who the miscreants are?” he said, as quoted by NDTV.

The court’s remarks come in the wake of a shocking breakdown of law and order in Kaliachak, where a judicial officer’s desperate SOS during a mob attack laid bare the gravity of the situation.

Trapped in darkness amid bamboo and brick barricades, the officer was heard pleading: “Please communicate it to the registrar… our pilot met with an accident… we are travelling alone…”

The violence erupted after protesters, allegedly angered over deletion of names from voter rolls under the SIR exercise, blocked roads and turned the area into a hostile zone.

In a dramatic escalation, seven judicial officers—including three women—were held hostage for over nine hours by a large crowd claiming wrongful exclusion from the electoral list.

They were rescued only around 1 am after police and paramilitary forces intervened, sparking questions over the delayed response and initial absence of security cover.

The incident has since triggered a political blame game, with the ruling Trinamool Congress accusing the ECI of mishandling the situation.

The unrest comes at a critical juncture, as judicial officers are racing to process nearly 60 lakh cases linked to voter roll revisions ahead of the Assembly elections.

The Supreme Court noted that over 47 lakh cases have already been cleared, with the exercise expected to conclude by April 7.

With polling in West Bengal scheduled for April 23 and 29, the episode has raised serious concerns over security, administrative preparedness, and the conduct of free and fair elections in the state.