Deploy central forces: SC after judges held hostage in Bengal
What's the story
The Supreme Court has ordered the deployment of central armed forces to protect judicial officers in West Bengal after seven officers, including three women judges, were gheraoed by protesters in Malda district over voter list deletions. A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipin Pancholi said that the West Bengal government and its officers had failed to perform their duties. "This is the most polarized state," CJI Kant said.
Government's failure
WB government criticized for not ensuring safety of judges
"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 calculated, motivated move to demoralize the judicial officers and stop the ongoing process of adjudicating of objections in left out cases." "We will not allow anyone to interfere and take law in their hands in order to create psychological attack on mind of judicial officers," the bench said.
Safety measures
There was stone pelting on their vehicles
It further said the state government and the officers need to furnish reasons why, even after being informed, the officers did not ensure safe evacuation of the officers. It noted that the gherao at the Block Development Officer's (BDO) office began about 3:30pm, and despite continuous communication from the Calcutta High Court, no action was taken until late evening. "When they were released midnight and they were going to their places, there was stone pelting on their vehicles," it added.
Investigation
Investigation into gherao incident handed over to central agencies
The Supreme Court has issued several directives to ensure the safety of judicial officers. These include deploying central forces by the ECI and providing security at their residences if needed. The court also directed limited entry to premises for filing objections (two to three people) and assembly during hearings (five people), along with compliance reports from state officials. "We also direct ECI to entrust the inquiry / investigation into yesterday's incident to either the CBI or NIA," the court said.