West Bengal: Mamata’s warning on ECI reshuffle resurfaces after Malda flashpoint; SC orders CBI/NIA probe

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the gherao and alleged attack on judicial officers in West Bengal's Malda district — seemingly by voters struck off the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — as the Trinamool Congress pointed to chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s earlier warning that large-scale administrative reshuffles could destabilise ground-level governance in poll-bound West Bengal.

According to some reports, West Bengal has seen 483 transfers of officials across the administrative spectrum since elections were notified in mid-March, as opposed to just 25-odd combined in Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, all four poll-bound as well.

In a statement following the Malda incident, the TMC alleged that the situation reflected the consequences of extensive transfers carried out under directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), which replaced experienced state-level administrative and police officials with officers seen as less familiar with local conditions.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh alleged the unrest was being “orchestrated by people… acting as BJP’s B team” and added that “the Election Commission has created the entire situation as they deleted the names and… changed all the officers. So they can’t blame the state government for the mess”.

The Supreme Court, however, described the Malda episode as “deplorable” and indicative of a “complete failure” of the state administration, observing that the gherao of judicial officers amounted to an attempt to undermine the authority of the court and could constitute criminal contempt.

Directing the ECI to ensure adequate deployment of central forces at locations where judicial officers are adjudicating objections under the SIR process, the bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said such incidents created a climate of fear for officials carrying out duties entrusted by the court.

The court took suo motu cognisance of a communication from the chief justice of the Calcutta High Court detailing how seven judicial officers — including three women and a child — were allegedly confined for several hours at a block development office in Kaliachowk in Malda district without food or water. The officers were reportedly released after midnight following intervention at senior levels, and their vehicles were later attacked with stones and sticks.

As many as 700 judicial officers drawn from West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha are currently engaged in adjudicating more than 60 lakh objections arising from exclusions in draft electoral rolls under the SIR exercise, which has already generated significant legal and political scrutiny.

The bench also directed the chief secretary, director-general of police, district magistrate and superintendent of police of Malda, along with the chief electoral officer, to submit compliance reports explaining the delay in responding to the situation despite repeated communications from the high court registry.

Banerjee had earlier raised concerns about the scale and timing of transfers directed during the revision exercise, arguing that abrupt changes in administrative and policing personnel could affect continuity and local coordination during a sensitive electoral process.

The TMC reiterated that position on Thursday, alleging that the removal of senior officials familiar with local conditions had weakened administrative responsiveness and created avoidable friction on the ground.

The BJP has maintained that administrative reshuffles are necessary to ensure neutrality and credibility in the revision of electoral rolls, particularly in a politically competitive environment.

The Supreme Court emphasised that judicial officers must be able to function without intimidation, directing authorities to ensure protection not only for officers but also for their families where necessary.

The matter is scheduled to be heard again on 6 April, when senior West Bengal officials are expected to appear before the court through video conference.

Police launched an overnight operation across parts of Malda district, arresting 18 persons, including ISF candidate Shahjahan Ali Kadri, who later claimed he had been falsely implicated and was attending a cultural gathering elsewhere at the time of the incident.

Fresh protests were reported on Thursday in other areas of Malda district. In Narayanpur, roads were blocked by demonstrators; in English Bazar, allegations emerged that a police escort vehicle was attacked; and in Manikchak, protesters burnt tyres on the road. Police and central forces have been deployed in sensitive pockets to prevent further escalation.