Malda

A major political controversy erupted in West Bengal after seven judicial officers, including three women, were allegedly held hostage by villagers in Malda district on April 1, sparking sharp exchanges between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the ruling All India Trinamool Congress.

The incident is reportedly linked to disputes over deletions from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The opposition BJP described the episode as alarming and indicative of a breakdown in law and order in the state.

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the situation, alleging that provocative political messaging contributed to the unrest. He also called upon the Election Commission of India to investigate the matter, including the status of individuals whose names were removed from voter lists. Majumdar welcomed the Supreme Court of India taking cognisance of the issue.

Senior BJP leaders intensified criticism of the state government. Smriti Irani accused the ruling party of fostering an environment marked by corruption and violence, arguing that a change in government was necessary to restore stability. Party MPs Ravi Kishan and Rekha Sharma also raised concerns about security and alleged political interference in administrative functioning.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia criticised what he termed “appeasement politics,” asserting that constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission and the judiciary cannot be undermined through intimidation or violence.

The TMC, however, strongly rejected the allegations. Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to destabilise the state and even alleged a broader plan to interfere with the electoral process. She claimed that the Centre, with the support of constitutional authorities, was trying to impose undue control over West Bengal’s administration.

The ruling party also accused the BJP and the Election Commission of mishandling administrative changes, alleging that experienced state officials were replaced with central appointees unfamiliar with local conditions, thereby contributing to the unrest.

TMC MP Kunal Ghosh echoed these concerns, accusing the BJP of using the electoral revision process to create instability and asserting that the party would challenge such actions through legal means.

The Supreme Court of India took a serious view of the incident, describing it as a deliberate attempt to obstruct the functioning of the justice system. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed concern over the reported lack of timely protection for the judicial officers, who were allegedly left stranded for hours.

The court issued notices to senior state officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and Director-General of Police, seeking explanations for the apparent lapse in security. It also directed the Election Commission to deploy adequate central forces to ensure the safety of officials and the smooth conduct of the electoral revision process.

Further, the court mandated stricter security arrangements at relevant sites, limited public access, and called for an assessment of potential threats to the officers and their families. Compliance reports have been sought, with senior officials directed to appear virtually at the next hearing.

The controversy comes just weeks before the West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting on May 4.

In the previous Assembly elections held in 2021, the Trinamool Congress secured a decisive victory, winning 213 out of 294 seats, while the BJP emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats.

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With political rhetoric intensifying and institutional concerns being raised, the Malda incident has added a new dimension to an already charged electoral environment in the state.