Taking suo motu cognizance, the Supreme Court on Thursday expressed extreme displeasure over Bengal’s Malda incident in which seven judicial officials engaged in an SIR exercise were taken hostage. Calling the incident ‘deplorable’ and ‘premeditated,’ the apex court directed the Election Commission to order a probe by either the CBI or NIA and to immediately ensure security for judicial officers, following which the EC ordered an NIA probe into it.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant slammed the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP, and local SP describing their roles as “deeply disappointing.” While underscoring the judiciary’s resolve to protect its officers and uphold the rule of law, Surya Kant said that attempts to intimidate or obstruct judges will not be tolerated. The Bench further said that the inaction on the part of the state government was “highly deplorable.”
The CJI said that seven judicial officials, including three women, were taken hostage by the anti-social elements in the Malda district, but despite this, top state officials remained incommunicado during the entire incident.
In response to the letter received from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, the Chief Secretary, DGP, District Magistrate, and SSP have been instructed to show cause as to why action should not be taken against them. The court has ordered all these officials to attend virtually on April 6 at 4 PM.
The top court also instructed the state Home Secretary, DGP, District Magistrate, and all police officers to ensure that while filing an application in the SIR or during hearings, not more than two or three persons will be allowed to enter and no more than five persons will be permitted to gather at the concerned district office.
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