Kamal Ghorui
The Election Commission on Thursday transferred the probe into the gherao of judicial officers dealing with cases related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal’s Malda to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).A spokesperson for the poll body said an NIA team is expected to arrive in the poll-bound state on Friday to begin the probe.“…In this regard, I am directed to request that the necessary inquiry/investigation into the matter be conducted and a preliminary inquiry report be submitted directly to the Hon’ble court as per the above directions,” the EC said told the NIA DG through a letter. The Supreme Court on Thursday criticised the West Bengal administration for its “complete failure” and inaction over the “deplorable” gherao and attack on seven judicial officers in Malda district during the electoral rolls revision drive.The court directed that the incident be investigated by either the CBI or the NIA and also ordered the deployment of central forces in the state.The strong response followed reports that the officers, including three women, were detained in Malda by a group of voters whose names had been removed from the electoral rolls.The court observed that it was incumbent upon the Mamata Banerjee-led state government to inform the Election Commission and seek the deployment of central forces to ensure the safety of the judicial officers. It also permitted the Election Commission to request either a CBI or NIA probe into the incident.The incident occurred during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Seven judicial officers, including three women, were surrounded and held hostage for several hours by protesters.Officials said the protest began outside the Kaliachak II Block Development Office when a group of people demanded a meeting with the officers. After they were denied entry, the crowd began demonstrating around 4.00 pm and later blocked the premises, with the protest continuing late into the night.Following the incident, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to engineer the cancellation of the West Bengal polls and impose President’s rule in the state. Addressing a rally in Sagardighi, she also criticised the Election Commission for failing to maintain law and order.Voting for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while the counting of votes will take place on May 4.In the 2021 Assembly elections, held in eight phases, the Trinamool Congress won 213 seats in a decisive victory over the BJP, which secured 77 seats. The Congress and the Left Front did not win any seats in that election.
