West Bengal Elections: 7 SIR Judicial Officers Held Hostage in Malda, CBI Begins Probe; 18 Arrested

The Election Commission brought in the CBI after seven judicial officers were held hostage during a voters’ list exercise in West Bengal’s Malda district. The step followed a Supreme Court rap for the Mamata Banerjee government and directions for a central agency probe.

The Supreme Court described poll-bound Bengal as the "most polarised" state while examining the Malda incident. The court criticised the state administration’s handling of the episode and questioned why officials on Special Intensive Revision duty were left exposed to such risk.

Election Commission and Supreme Court response in Malda incident

So far, police have arrested 18 people in connection with the Kaliachak case, and searches continue to track others. Investigators are examining how protesters managed to surround judicial officers for hours and whether any prior alerts were ignored by local authorities.

The Supreme Court said there was "complete failure" and inaction during the "deplorable" gherao and assault on officials conducting the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll. The court also directed the Election Commission to seek sufficient Central forces and post them wherever judicial officers hear objections.

Special Intensive Revision details in Malda incident

The confrontation happened at the BDO office in Kaliachak, Malda, during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Around 3:30 pm on Wednesday, seven judicial officers were allegedly gheraoed by "anti social elements" who were part of a protest gathering near the premises.

Officials said the mob claimed that names were being unfairly removed from electoral rolls and blocked the officers from leaving. Security personnel eventually freed the officers close to midnight. The CBI inquiry and continuing arrests are expected to determine responsibility for the attack and prolonged confinement.