NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday took serious notice on Malda incident where seven judicial officers engaged in the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise were held hostage for several hours. The court also issued showcause notices to top West Bengal officials, including the chief secretary and DGP.The strong response came after reports that the officers, including three women, were detained in Malda by a group of voters whose names had been deleted from the electoral rolls.The court asked the chief secretary and DGP to explain why action should not be taken against them, calling the incident an “abdication of duty” and seeking reasons for their “inaction.”Terming the episode “deplorable,” the top court said the protest appeared to be a “calculated and motivated” attempt to demoralise judicial officers and disrupt the ongoing electoral process. It added that it would not allow anyone to interfere with the process or take the law into their own hands to carry out a psychological attack on officials.The court observed that it was imperative for the Mamata Banerjee-led state government to inform the Election Commission and seek deployment of central forces to ensure the safety of judicial officers. It also allowed the Election Commission to seek either a CBI or NIA probe into the incident.Noting a “complete breakdown of law and order” in the state, the court directed that central forces be deployed to protect officers handling objections under the SIR process.The Supreme Court further appealed to leaders across political parties not to politicise the issue and to speak in one voice on ensuring the safety of officials performing their duties. It also stressed that those entrusted with maintaining law and order must remain more vigilant.

What happened in Malda

The incident took place during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Seven judicial officers, including three women, were surrounded and held for several hours by protesters.Officials said the protest began outside the Kaliachak 2 Block Development Office when people demanded a meeting with the officers. After being denied entry, the crowd started protesting around 4 pm and later blocked the premises, continuing late into the night.The protests were triggered by the deletion of names from voter lists and spread across Malda, with road blockades reported in multiple areas, affecting normal life.

BJP reacts

Union minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar condemned the incident and blamed the situation on statements by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.In a video message, he alleged that the officers’ vehicles were vandalised and roads were blocked during the incident. He also said the situation in West Bengal was worrying.“What happened is something that scares everyone. 7 judicial magistrates had gone there. They were not only stopped there but their vehicles were also vandalised. When SP was rescuing them from there, women judicial magistrates’ vehicles were vandalised. Roads were blocked to see that no vehicle passes through. During the rule of Left Front, Anita Dewan – a woman official, was dragged out of her vehicle and beaten to death. This was a similar plan. Mamata Banerjee’s continuous instigating statements are responsible for this,” said Majumdar.

Bahraich: A female elephant was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the core zone of Katarniaghat Wildlife Division.Shockingly, the carcass reportedly lay decomposing for nearly a week in a dense forest area before being discovered, raising questions over forest monitoring and patrolling systems.The incident came to light late Tuesday night after a strong foul smell spread in nearby areas, alerting locals. The forest officials conducted a post-mortem and sent viscera samples to IVRI, Bareilly, for detailed examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.According to officials, the carcass was found about 2 km inside the forest near a stream in the Bichhiya beat area.The discovery was made by a patrolling team during night rounds.Following the information shared by forest range officer Ashish Gaur, senior officials including chief conservator of forests H Raja Mohan, divisional forest officer (DFO) Apoorva Dixit, and other team members rushed to the spot.A three-member veterinary team, led by Dr Talha and Dr Deepak, conducted the post-mortem. After preserving the viscera, the carcass was buried at the site using a JCB machine in the presence of forest officials. Authorities estimated the age of the elephant to be around 20 to 25 years.Officials said that the exact cause of death could not be determined during the post-mortem and would be known only after the viscera report.DFO Apoorva Dixit said the death appears to be natural at first glance, but other possibilities cannot be ruled out until the report is received.Villagers from nearby areas indicated that the carcass had been lying there for a long time. They also pointed out that elephant herds have been active in the region recently, and aggressive behaviour among tuskers raises the possibility of intra-herd conflict leading to the death.In recent years, several elephant deaths have been reported in the region.

NEW DELHI: Contrary to West Bengal govt’s apprehensions that scrutiny of deleted voters’ claims for inclusion in voters’ lists would not be completed before filing of nominations for assembly elections later this month, Supreme Court on Wednesday said the Calcutta HC chief justice has informed that all 60 lakhodd claims would be adjudicated by April 7.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said the Calcutta HC CJ has informed that out of 60,06,675 objections to deletion of names from voters’ lists, judicial officers have decided 47,30,000 by Wednesday. “Calcutta HC CJ has informed us that the pending objections are likely to be adjudicated by April 7. Keeping the aforesaid date in mind, post these matters on April 6,” the bench said.

SC posts deleted Bengal voters matter for further hearing Mon

To appeal against the decisions of judicial officers, who were entrusted the task of electoral registration officers by SC using its extraordinary powers under Article 142 in the face of the state govt expressing serious doubts about the fairness of the process adopted by EC officials, SC had directed constitution of election tribunals. Nineteen such tribunals, comprising former HC CJs and former HC judges, have been notified by EC.The bench said the appellate tribunals will have the discretion “to revisit the full records, including the reasons assigned by judicial officers while adjudicating objections, before deciding appeals filed before them, and also to inform the parties of these reasons”. “The tribunals are free to evolve their own procedures in accordance with principles of natural justice, and are requested to adjudicate the appeals after providing the parties with a fair opportunity of being heard,” it said, adding those intending to file appeals before the tribunals would be provided with reasons given by judicial officers in rejecting their claims.At this juncture, senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee objected to EC giving a day’s training to former CJs and judges prior to the commencement of work in the tribunals from Thursday. “Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies. They must act independently. Why the training,” he asked.CJI Kant said, “They are former CJs and judges of HCs. Obviously, they will act independently. Training is for handling computer and soft copies of documents. Don’t raise frivolous objections.” Election commission counsel and senior advocate D S Naidu said it is not training, but only orientation.Justice Bagchi said, “They have vast experience in deciding matters. You (Banerjee) must not be worried about EC officials influencing judges.” Senior advocate Kapil Sibal said, “We must have the liberty to approach the Calcutta HC CJ when we have some grievance.”The bench said, “Obviously, you have the right to approach the Calcutta HC CJ. But don’t go in a group or in a delegation. If you send a political delegation, we will tell the CJ not to entertain such delegations. Mr. Banerjee, or the advocate general, can go and meet. Where is the necessity of political workers to go and meet the CJ?” Justice Bagchi said, “The problem is to the best of our knowledge and information, representations by political unions or associations are not only made to the Calcutta HC CJ but also to district judges. We do not want judicial officers to be disturbed in this manner.” “Do not play a double role — approach SC and at the same time continue politics with judicial officers who have been called upon to perform an exceptional duty which is not within the common run of their judicial work. When they are subjected to representations from various political hues and insinuations are made that they are siding with A or B, it becomes very difficult,” Justice Bagchi said.The apex court bench posted the matters on April 6 for further hearing.