The Supreme Court today ordered a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into attacks on judicial officers during West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, taking serious note of violence, alleged police inaction, and threats faced by officials conducting the electoral verification process.
The Court was informed that judicial officers engaged in the massive exercise, covering nearly 60 lakh cases had faced “harassment… despite so much of disruption,” with disturbing accounts placed on record, including that “a judicial officer was crying… ‘my life is in danger, my family is in danger… if something happens to me, please take care of my family’.” Counsel warned that such incidents showed officials were effectively working under threat, with “rabble-rousing that will vitiate the atmosphere.”
Taking note of a status report, the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi recorded that multiple FIRs had been registered in connection with attacks and blockades, including three FIR, directly involving judicial officers and nine other FIRs pertaining to blockades at various places, indicating a pattern of coordinated disruption. It was further revealed that 24 people have been arrested with 432 persons under analysis.
Expressing grave concern, the Bench directed a central probe, stating in clear terms: “we direct the NIA to take over investigation of these cases… 12 in all,irrespective of whether there are scheduled offences. Local police may be directed to hand over the papers of investigatio to NIA,” and that custody of accused persons be transferred where necessary.
The Court also indicated that the probe must go beyond surface-level inquiry, observing that authorities must “find out who are the persons who are instigating and provoking,” pointing to the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the incidents.
In sharp remarks directed at the state secretary present in person, the Court flagged serious lapses in coordination and response, noting that “because of your lack of communication so much of difficulty and disturbance has been caused in the state,” and criticising the failure of officials to respond even to judicial authorities during the crisis.
The matter will now proceed with the NIA-led investigation, with the Court indicating that it will continue to monitor developments to ensure accountability and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
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